Reply #25: Hastert says he didn't know of explicit contact

[rodeodance]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-02-foley_x.htm?csp=1

Updated 10/3/2006 12:59 AM ET (photo)
"Would have, could have, should have," Dennis Hastert said. "We did what we thought ... was prudent at the time." Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., right, helped investigate a congressman's e-mail to teenager.
By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY


Hastert says he didn't know of explicit contact


By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Dennis Hastert defended himself and other Republican leaders Monday against charges they did not move aggressively to investigate Rep. Mark Foley's contacts with teenage boys.

Hastert reiterated that House leaders had no knowledge of sexually explicit instant messages the Florida Republican allegedly sent to several congressional pages until ABC News reported about them Friday.

Foley resigned after ABC questioned him about them.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since the scandal broke, Hastert said House officials had no reason to press further when Foley explained a chatty e-mail to a 16-year-old boy in which the representative requested the former House page's photograph. That e-mail caused the boy's parents to complain, but it contained nothing sexually explicit.

"Would have, could have, should have," Hastert said. "We did what we thought ... was prudent at the time.".........