Hastert's many friends abandon him as he heads to court to plead guilty

Ten years ago former House Speaker Denny Hastert was second-in-line to the presidency. Now after a blackmail and sex scandal--that goes back to his days as a teacher in Yorkville, Illinois--"the Coach" has largely been abandoned by his once large crowd of supporters.

The Plano Republican will plead guilty in a Chicago federal court on Wednesday to charges related to banking irregularities and lying to federal officials.

From Chuck Goudie of ABC 7 Chicago:

John Dennis Hastert will appear in court at 9 a.m. to change his plea to guilty, but in the court of public opinion, Hastert has already been sentenced to the cold shoulder. Big-name public figures who run awry of the law can usually count on die hard supporters to send letters of praise to judges in an effort to solicit mercy. Not so the in the case of the USA versus Hastert - where the I-Team has learned the judge's mailbag is nearly empty.

When ex-Speaker Hastert walks the media gauntlet into the federal building on Wednesday, he will be surrounded by dozens of people. But he may still feel very alone, at least according to the barometer of letters written on his behalf.

Since his indictment May 28, only three letters have been received by Judge Thomas Durkin in Chicago, the I-Team has learned.

Hastert allegedly sexually abused male students while he taught at Yorkville High School.