A former Illinois lawmaker who was once a top ally of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner issued a statement Friday saying he was extorted after engaging in "inappropriate online conversations."
The disclosure from ex-Rep. Ron Sandack, who abruptly resigned in late July, came shortly after the release of a redacted police report that indicated he told Downers Grove, Ill., police that he twice wired money to the Philippines after receiving several Facebook messages and having a conversation via Skype with an unknown woman.
According to the report, Sandack sent money to the Philippines via Western Union and MoneyGram on July 13 and July 14 before going to police as the scammers requested more and more money. The amount of money Sandack sent was blacked out in the report, as were screenshots of the conversations.
Downers Grove police said they closed the case earlier this week after determining the offender was in the Philippines, saying "all investigative leads have been exhausted with no local charges forthcoming." The case has been referred to authorities in the Philippines.
"This past July, I was the target of an international crime ring focusing on high profile individuals luring them to engage in inappropriate online conversations with the intent of extortion. I took their bait and fell for it hook, line and sinker," Sandack said in a statement.
"Poor decisions on my part enabled me to be a victim and, as a responsible citizen, I reported it and have been working with the police throughout their investigation. I want it to be clear that no aspect of my involvement in this incident was related to my position as a state representative nor was the computer state property."
Sandack was a vocal supporter of Rauner on the House floor, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. He resigned his position in late July citing fraudulent social media accounts, telling the Tribune at the time that politics is getting "too ugly." Asked then if any compromising information was accessed before he deleted his social media accounts, Sandack said "no."
"I'm human. I made a mistake for which I am remorseful and ashamed; especially because I have hurt my family, and there is no greater self-inflicted wound than that," Sandack said Friday in an emailed statement.
