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Former Republican state Rep. Ron Sandack, once a top ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner, resigned from the Illinois Legislature after several people viewed a sexually graphic video featuring the former lawmaker that was temporarily posted to Facebook, Politico is reporting.

Politico, citing anonymous sources, reports that the “encounter” with the woman was recorded and posted to Sandack’s social media accounts with several of his contacts tagged in the video.

Sandack previously has said he was extorted via Facebook and Skype by a woman who lured him “to engage in inappropriate online conversations.”

Once Republicans learned of the video and its surfacing, a top state operative urged Sandack to resign, Politico reports. Sandack issued a statement to Politico denying he was asked to resign but didn’t address questions about the existence of the video or whether it was distributed to others.

Much of this has already been covered by the I-Team, including the context that this type of blackmail was also used against at least one other state legislator in another state.

By the way, I was also told by a top source that Sandack was strongly urged to resign.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:40 am

Comments

He fell on his sword as urged. He’ll be back after the heat is off, just don’t be a Weiner and keep doing these things.

Comment by The_Equalizer Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:46 am
===…a woman who lured him “to engage in inappropriate online conversations.”===

I’m thinking Ron is more aptly framed as a willing participant, as opposed to a lured victim.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:46 am
The governor’s crew, in public, did the whole Sgt. Schultz, thing; “I know nothing.”

Who could be a “top state operative” outside the governor’s circle? The GOP is his party, bought and paid for.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:48 am
Please, Rich, post a photo of Oscar to offset this ugliness.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:50 am
The only thing I can say is that @RonSandack appears to still be a functioning/existing Twitter, albeit private.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:56 am
If everyone would just have the common sense to keep their clothes on we wouldn’t have these problems.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:00 am
Sandack should have let it all hang out, so to speak, at the very beginning to get this story behind him.

He may not like, it, but he was a prominent public figure when this went down. That’s why he was targeted. The drip, drip, drip, of new information will continue over time until all questions are answered.

Sandack wanted to be a playa in the worst way. Careful what you wish for, you might get it.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:04 am
So….many lies about what they knew and what they did. They being the superstars and Sandack.

The cover up is always worse than the crime.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:05 am
===By the way, I was also told by a top source that Sandack was strongly urged to resign.===

I can just imagine how that conversation went —

“Well, you should try to resign before a story breaks.”

“Oh. I’m not going to resign.”

“…”

As an aside, this kind of incident was survivable in the 1980s at least. Of course, there was no video, blackmail, and the elected official was unmarried, which is very different. However the State Rep did go on to win two terms as a State Senator.

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/19/us/2-iowa-legislators-indicted-in-bachelor-party-case.html

Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:05 am
===If everyone would just have the common sense to keep their clothes on we wouldn’t have these problems.===

Truly. But it was fairly obvious from all that has transpired in his career before that moment (i.e. the dumb twitter stuff, the who who who?, the awful Daily Show appearance) that Ron Sandack is not what you would call a smart man. I can see how someone could easily succeed at making him a victim.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:06 am
Live by the social media sword, die (and get incredibly humiliated) by the social media sword.

Comment by TR Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:06 am
Good grief. How many politicians are going to lose their careers and families over disgusting activities on social media before they start to “get it” that there are such things as “honey pots” and that nothing is ever private on the world wide web?? Also, Sandack, did you totally miss the whole Anthony Weiner saga? That might have been another clue that what you were doing was not very smart.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:07 am
===- Streator Curmudgeon - Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 9:50 am:

Please, Rich, post a photo of Oscar to offset this ugliness.===

Seems like a better idea not to associate Oscar with this at all.

Comment by SinkingShip Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:07 am
I thought Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner would have been lessons, not role models.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:08 am
I’m a huge pro wrestling fan, and my boys are into it as well. We’ve met several wrestlers and we’ve also had the chance to meet a few baseball players over the years. One thing they’ll tell you is that they don’t put themselves in situations to be photographed or filmed doing something incriminating, so they’ll often (politely) decline photos/selfies unless they’re in “safe” areas like a fan convention or a team-sponsored event. I get it. Elected officials and high-level candidates - though typically not at the same level of celebrity - would be wise to heed that kind of creed and practice. Even there’s even a HINT of something wrong don’t do it!

Word - my guess is that a consortium involving Leader Durkin, Mike Z and Rich Goldberg brought the hammer down on Sandack. Just a guess but those three would have more sway over him than anyone.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:16 am
Sandack’s “more time with family” epiphany occurred at the same time he was told to resign. Even his apology is laced with “I’m the victim” mentality, which shows that he still doesn’t get it. I feel sorry for his family (and even him, to a point), but clearly his ego outgrew his common sense.

Comment by jade me not Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:17 am
It is unfortunate that Sandack was taken in by someone who may have said the right things but was interested in doing something entirely different, and was willing to mete out fierce punishment unless McCann–whoops, Sandack–gave them exactly what they wanted.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:19 am
Hey Ron, you should stick with Candy Crush

Comment by Fake Kate Cloonen Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:27 am
Springfield leader of the moral minority

Comment by jimk849 Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:27 am
When Ron tweeted “I’m frustrated too,” who knew it was about this kind of frustration.

Comment by Dr. Van Nostren Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:30 am
—
Seems like a better idea not to associate Oscar with this at all.
—

And please urge him to stay away from Skype.

Comment by Macbeth Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:33 am
I guess Sandack doesn’t follow the news too closely because just a few weeks before he was “scammed” the same exact thing happened to Nebraska State Senator Bill Kintner.

I can’t see how anyone could be so naive to fall for this type of scam, you are a middle aged man no pretty young girl on Facebook wants to have “an inappropriate conversation” with you on Skype. Unless she is scamming you.

http://journalstar.com/legislature/with-video-controversy-kintner-may-have-fallen-for-online-scam/article_2fb27e5d-335b-598a-813a-6501998a4aeb.html

Comment by TrumpsSmallHands Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:39 am
“a top state operative”
is this another term of art like gettin’
“cyber attacked”?

Can we assume that when the whole story is told everyone say is that what it is all about why didn’t the magoo just say that in the beginning?
SHow of hands …Anyone think talkin’ and/or lyin’about international spy networks is a crime?

Comment by Annonin' Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:41 am
Rauner to Sandack: “There is no more you and me.”

Comment by The Fool On The Hill Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:44 am
So literally, this woman was acting as though she worked for the IPI? Wasn’t really ‘upfront’ about what her intentions or backers were during the ‘filming of the project”?

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 10:57 am
or, Rauner to Sandack: now I gotta turn my back on you.

https://youtu.be/fsGibXpZn2U

Comment by Cheswick Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 11:16 am
Paul Sorvino wouldn’t conduct business over the telephone in Goodfellas in case the phone was tapped. This internet thing is like that on steroids. If you put something on the net, you have to be prepared for the whole world to see it. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Comment by SAP Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 11:20 am
A Republican politician caught in the act, with a WOMAN? No wonder he had to resign!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 11:21 am
“A Republican politician caught in the act, with a WOMAN? No wonder he had to resign!”

LOLOL!

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 11:25 am
This story is such a cliche - another absurdly arrogant pol whose sleazy past came back to bite him. Downers Grove deserved better and hopefully they will get it.

Comment by Politix Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 11:30 am
He made a mistake, fell hard from grace. I really hated the way he behaved as a politician. But he should be left alone to deal with his personal matters.

Comment by Winnin' Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 12:12 pm
How do you “lure” the willing? Can he blame the woman just a tad bit more?? Way more to come out about this, but I will say Ronnie has done a tremendous job keeping a lid on what all he did thus far.

Comment by Southern Dawg1 Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 12:18 pm
Most guys wouldn’t fall for a scam like that. Speaks to Sandack’s poor judgement.

Comment by Stones Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Short answer - this is 100% Sandack’s fault. No matter he tries to spin it, this is his fault. A number of people defended him (I mean in person to me). All those people were taking by him too. The only upside to this sad career implosion is he did not cost the taxpayers any money in the process, which places him one step above those who scammed the taxpayers and forced the state to pay for their defense in the process.

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 12:46 pm
I hate to say it about anybody, but with the way he was spewing his nonsensical rants, supporting Rauner and just overall being Rauner’s lapdog, it couldn’t have happened to anyone better.

Comment by HRC2016 Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 12:53 pm
What’s with the beating a lame horse? Is somebody afraid he’ll race again?

Let it go.

Comment by walker Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 1:01 pm
===What’s with the beating a lame horse?===

Remember that weird story about Dan Rutherford on the beach with a staffer? Same reporter.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 1:01 pm
@Rich,

The stories about Rutherford, weren’t they leaked by Rauner operatives? My memory is failing me today.

Comment by HRC2016 Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Why are we still talking about this issue? He resigned, he is no longer get a public official. Unless the computer was state property we shouldn’t be messing with this guy anymore.

Comment by Not It Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 1:11 pm
I think maybe the pols that do The Stupid on the web find the possibility of getting caught a big part of the thrill. Being ‘naughty’ and risking exposure ups the ‘getting off’ factor.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 1:53 pm
You just know the video is going to surface if multiple copies were ahem disseminated.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 2:11 pm
===if multiple copies===

It’s not impossible to download Facebook videos, but it isn’t a simple thing. There may be screen caps, though. Even then, these were FB friends. If that stuff was gonna come out, it already would’ve I think. We’ll see.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 2:36 pm
Rich, apparently it was quite easy to become a Facebook friend with the Representative, so I’m sure copies will be available, which is further proof we should let this story die.

He is no longer a public official; let’s let go.

Comment by Not It Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 3:50 pm
===apparently it was quite easy to become a Facebook friend with the Representative===

I was one. I didn’t get a ping. And I have good reason to believe the notifications were limited. It ain’t pretty, if true.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 23, 16 @ 3:59 pm