Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, pleaded guilt on Wednesday to lying to the FBI and for banking violations in a case that involved him paying out hush money. By pleading guilty to the allegations of fraud, Hastert hopes to avoid any prison time.

Hastert, 73, was the longest serving Republican House Speaker having served between 1999-2006. He resigned following Republican election losses and has become a highly paid lobbyist since his retirement from the House. Hastert has been accused of violating federal banking laws when he withdrew small amounts of money from bank accounts so he wouldn’t have to report them as law makers are required to by federal law. If not reported, it is a federal crime known as “structuring”, according to The Washington Post.

The money scandal is the result of hush money Hastert paid out between the years 2010-2014. He skirted the law because, he stated in court, he didn’t want anyone to know where the money was going. He is, also, charged with lying to the FBI when they questioned him about the financial transactions. He was, according to court accounts, being blackmailed by a former student of his for alleged sexual transgressions.

Before Hastert became a politician, he was a school teacher and a wrestling coach. One of his former male students accused him of molestation. Hastert has paid that former student $1.7 million over the course of  four years. It has become a huge and shocking scandal for the former Speaker.

While Hastert’s sentence could land him five years in prison, it is considered likely that the judge will just recommend probation for him. Following his indictment, Hastert resigned from the lobbying firm he was working for. Strategists suggest that Hastert has pleaded guilty to the charges to avoid having the entire affair made public through a long and drawn out court proceeding.

Hastert’s sentencing is scheduled for February 29, 2016.