Hastert Case Not First Media Frenzy At Dirksen Federal Building
(CBS) -- From politicians trying to keep a low profile, to those seeking attention to a mob clown in disguise, we've seen a lot of characters at the Dirksen Federal Building over the years.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov takes a look at some of the sad and surreal moments.
The media crush was more like a rugby scrum as former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert made his way into the federal courthouse. He walked in like any other defendant, with no security barriers or police help on the outside.
It's a far cry from the way former Governor Rod Blagojevich exited and entered court during his two trials. Back then, metal gates were erected, leaving a clear path for the now-imprisoned Blagojevich to get to and from the courthouse and away from reporters' questions.
A spokesperson with the U.S. Marshals office says how high-profile defendants come and go depends not on who they are but what overall safety concerns exist. That's why outdoor barriers are sometimes set up and sometimes not, like the day former publishing magnate Conrad Black walked out.
Inside, there are now strict rules, but as recently as former Governor George Ryan's trial, reporters and cameras were allowed to surround defendants until they hit the elevators.
Sometimes defendants talked and sometimes, like alleged mobster Joey the Clown Lombardo, they just ran as fast as possible.
Hastert's exit from court was very different from his arrival. Department of Homeland Security police lined the path to his car and U.S. Marshals gave very strict guidelines on what would be allowed and what would not. That, likely after witnessing how his entrance went down.