Complex sentence: For some time there had been speculation, E.J. O'Hare went undercover to ensure his son Butch a place at Annapolis, which required the approval of a Congressional representative, but the possible existence of such a deal is indeed speculation, not fact.
Split into simpler sentences: For some time there had been speculation, E.J. O'Hare went undercover to ensure his son Butch a place at Annapolis, which required the approval of a Congressional representative. However, the possible existence of such a deal is indeed speculation, not fact.