Q: Dennis Hastert was a high school wrestling coach before he went into politics. Where did he get the millions of dollars he paid out in hush money?
—Tom Homestead, Loganville
A: Hastert served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1986 until 2007 and was the Speaker of the House from 1999 until he left Congress. He then had what the New York Times called a "lucrative career" as a lobbyist.
The former student who approached Hastert about what has been called sexual misconduct while he was a high school teacher and coach in Yorkville, Ill., didn’t do so until 2010.
Hastert reportedly attempted to find ways around the banking system to withdraw funds to pay the former student to stay quiet. Hastert taught and coached at the school from 1965-1981.
He paid $1.7 million over the past four years.
Hastert has plans to plead guilty to one count of breaking banking laws and one of lying to the FBI.
He wasn’t charged with any other crimes.
Q: Where is Karen Minton on WSB in the morning? She has been off all week or off some days for the last month or so, and I was wondering where she was.
—Lucy Thomas, Peachtree City
A: Minton recently visited Amelia Island for some "R&R," she posted on her Twitter account last week.
Minton is the meteorologist for “Channel 2 Action News This Morning” and “Channel 2 Action News at Noon.”
She has been with WSB-TV since 1986.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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