Hastert Was Warned About Michael Richards Two Years Ago, GOP Aide Says

WASHINGTON (CT) - A former aide to a top GOP lawmaker says he warned House Speaker Dennis Hastert's staff about comedian Michael Richards in 2004, well before Richards launched a tirade of racial epithets at a heckler during a recent standup comedy routine.

Kirk Fordham, who until recently served as chief of staff to New York congressman Tom Reynolds, told reporters today that he met with Hastert's top deputy, Scott Palmer, in mid 2004 to warn him that Richards was known to be unstable around hecklers, especially African-Americans. According to Fordham, Palmer said he would speak to Richards about the issue.

Palmer was unavailable for comment, but Hastert's office was quick to respond to the allegations, issuing a copy of their "E-Z Denial" form with "warnings about Michael Richards" written into the "list scandal here" blank.

Later, upon prompting from other Republican leaders, Hastert held a news conference in which he categorically denied any mishandling of the Richards investigation. "Anyone who knowingly protected that Kramer guy will be fired,"Â? Hastert said. He then tried to fire the staff of incoming Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but was talked down by staff.

Fordham, however, told CNN's janitor, Bob Dergle, that he stands by his statements and would be willing to testify before Congress about the matter.

Reaction on the other side of Capitol Hill was swift as well. "Holy freakin crap!"Â? said Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. "Now that's a botched joke!"

Despite the Hastert allegations, political analysts believe the Richards scandal is unlikely to hurt Republicans, given that midterm elections have already taken place and that Richards is not a politician, or even possibly a Republican. The scandal could backfire on Democrats, however, as Nancy Pelosi had openly endorsed Richards over Jason Alexander in the party's upcoming "Favorite Seinfeld Character" vote.