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* I heard one person’s version of the story late last night and, if true, it is really not good. Not illegal, as far as I can tell, but not good…
BREAKING: Police report shows Fmr. State Rep. Ron Sandack claimed he was extorted over Facebook and SKYPE, sent money to Philippines
— Paris Schutz (@paschutz) September 16, 2016
Illinois State Rep. Ron Sandack, who resigned, wired money to Philippines before going to the Downers Grove police. pic.twitter.com/T7t6ifcSVT
— Casey Toner (@ctoner) September 16, 2016
So, essentially he paid a blackmailer in the Philippines. For what? Well, that’s apparently blacked out above. And then the blackmailer wanted even more money and that’s when things got really weird.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Oof…
In statement, frmr Rep. Ron Sandack says he was target of int'l crime ring that lured him to engage in "inappropriate online conversations."
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) September 16, 2016
"I took their bait and fell for it hook, line and sinker," Sandack says in statement.
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) September 16, 2016
"I made a mistake for which I am remorseful and ashamed; especially because I have hurt my family," Sandack said.
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) September 16, 2016
*** UPDATE 2 *** From what I’ve been able to discern from reading online stuff, the first thing to do when this happens is to shut down all social media accounts so that the blackmailer can’t ping friends/contacts/followers. Sandack, you will recall, abruptly shut down his social media accounts several days before he abruptly resigned. Sun-Times…
Sandack said counterfeit social media accounts started appearing, which he said jeopardized his online identity.
“Nonetheless, I was a victim. 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,” Sandack said in the statement. “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.
“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.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Ain’t that the truth…
Jim Durkin: "I respect Ron Sandack’s decision to resign on July 25 and believe he did the right thing."
— Mike Riopell (@DHStatehouse) September 16, 2016
*** UPDATE 4 *** No surprise…
Governor Rauner's office on Sandack: "No comment."
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) September 16, 2016
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:30 pm
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I don’t see what the big deal is…
Comment by Carlos Danger Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:33 pm
I hope not. Let’s stay out of peoples lives unless it was embezzlement or something against the state or it’s people.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:35 pm
Pretty sure most people, save a few defenders, knew this would be something torrid. No surprise.
Comment by Jackie Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:39 pm
===And then the blackmailer wanted even more money ===
Which is why you should never pay an extortionist. Just fess up and do what you have to do to pick up the pieces. Once you pay, they never let you go, they’ll keep coming back, again and again.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Rich, could you balance this out with a photo of Oscar?
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:43 pm
Attempted extortion from someone in the Phillippines?
That used to happen quite often to U.S. sailors that visited the Phillippines. I guess they broadened their horizons.
Comment by A Jack Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Just do a quick Google on keywords Philippines, blackmail, scam… it ain’t new, but it’s a nasty mess.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:44 pm
47tg ward is right. Just ask David Letterman.
Comment by 33rd ward Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:45 pm
He’s now a private citizen so as long as he didn’t do anything illegal he’s still just a crime victim.
Comment by The Captain Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:45 pm
The Skype/Facebook extortion schemes out of the Phillipines are infamous.
We’re all clear now that there is really no such thing as anonymity or privacy on social media?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Well, Captain, he was a legislator when this started, right? Was he pressured while on office, and if so, how did he respond?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:54 pm
Madigan and the Phillipino F/W in her 20’s with long black hair he controls
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 1:59 pm
===The Skype/Facebook extortion schemes out of the Phillipines are infamous.===
Yeah, I had no idea, but a quick trip through teh Google was quite enlightening.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Recent example-
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dups-jim-wells-targeted-by-russian-woman-seeking-warmth-of-western-man-35049967.html
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:05 pm
Remember how little Rauner had to say about the Owl’s departure? Did Sandack tell him what was going on?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Anon221, there’s another recent example of a Nebraska state legislator.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:11 pm
This is one of the oldest scams in the book. My uncle fell for something similar.
Comment by Not It Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:11 pm
Ugh. Inappropriate online conversations? That can’t be good.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:16 pm
If he didn’t do anything wrong or had nothing to hide he should have just ignored or gone right to the Police. This would leave me to believe that indeed the Owl has something or someone to hide!!!
Comment by 11 th Warder Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:17 pm
Speaker Madigan and the Filipino sexting extortion rings he controls.
Comment by Stark Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:17 pm
===Inappropriate online conversations?===
And the Skype angle.
Please Lord, do NOT make me look at “inappropriate” photos of Ron Sandack.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:18 pm
This scenario seems to imply that Sandack does not possess very good judgment, which was already quite obvious to anybody who observed his house floor behavior. Good riddance.
Comment by dominionhinny Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:18 pm
Well, anonymous, he responded by resigning.
Comment by The Captain Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:21 pm
Mr. Sandack resigned. He took responsibility for his misdeeds. He apologized and there is no indication he committed a crime.
Maybe we all wish him and his family well and save the recrimination for when/if he runs for office again. Just sayin’
Comment by Matt Belcher Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:23 pm
According to the report, they had exchanged several messages before he informed her that he was on his computer at work. Was he using a state computer for these messages?
Oh, my.
Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:23 pm
Sometimes Karma is not nice.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Thanks Rich. Kintner in NE, right? Very interesting read.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Sandack resigned from public life. He know leads a private life and in my opinion, it should respected. He can not be extorted into voting a certain way, so it isn’t our nosy business.
I think all blog posts and reports of this should be deleted.
Comment by Rhino Slider Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:26 pm
Accepted a friend request on FB from an attractive (I’m assuming) woman he’s never met and no mutual friends? Oh lord, what is he….13? You gotta be smarter than that. FB security 101.
Comment by Moby Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:27 pm
===Please Lord, do NOT make me look at===
Yeah. I tossed and turned all night with that potential image in mind. Ugh.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:28 pm
- Rhino Slider -
Sandack responded to this. To a reporter.
“Your objection is noted”.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Rhino Slider- another way to look at this is as a cautionary tale. Some people will learn from it, others will continue to click.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:30 pm
“Maybe we all wish him and his family well and save the recrimination for when/if he runs for office again. Just sayin’”
Remember how the GOP is the party of moral aptitude. This matters because a lot of us are sick of the GOP getting a free pass for the absolute hypocrisy of claiming the moral high ground while constantly digging underneath its foundation.
Comment by Stark Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Wow, from a two year old news article: “Police in the Philippines say they have arrested dozens of suspects linked to an online blackmail syndicate.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27249926
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Seems like the blackmailer in the Philippines…struck a nerve.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:34 pm
An extortion scheme that drives a duly elected representative from office is news, Rhino Slider, whether you want it to be or not.
Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:34 pm
Just another reason to stay off Facebook. Someone once said that cruising the Internet is like having unprotected sex. You just never know what you are going to get.
It was interesting that Sandeck quit rather than try to stay in office.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:34 pm
Is this worse than playing Candy Crush while on the floor?
Comment by Wading in... Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:35 pm
- Maybe we all wish him and his family well and save the recrimination for when/if he runs for office again. Just sayin’ -
Not buying this. GOP always claims the moral high ground and it seems like this consistently happens to good morale Republicans. No more free passes, maybe a little shame can be a motivating factor.
Comment by Stark Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:36 pm
Wading in…,
Yes. It is.
Comment by MissingG Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:38 pm
– I think all blog posts and reports of this should be deleted. –
By whom? The government? Another poster from the
Russian Federation, perhaps?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:39 pm
Is Rauner sure he wants to do this now???
From the Twitterverse:
Join me next Tuesday at noon for my first Facebook Live. Leave me your questions using #RaunerLive .
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:42 pm
To all those saying Republicans are social conservatives/take the moral high ground remember that Sandack is pro choice and voted for SSM. Just saying…
Comment by huh Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:44 pm
If you look to the right on the site, you’ll see Gobernador Caballero is hosting a Facebook Q&A next week.
Free advice: if the questions start out, “where are you, what are you wearing?”, shut it down.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:48 pm
I was never really a fan but I do respect him for being honest. It says a lot about him as a man.
Comment by Tom Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:50 pm
So he votes against insurance coverage for birth control after Dwight Kay says it is paying for promiscuity, but then does this? Disgusting.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:56 pm
“lured him into” some kind of video something?
new [stuff] has come to light.
she kidnapped herself, man…
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Karma…gotta love it. Wonder who is next..
Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Why are Politicians so arrogant as to think they won’t get caught? In this age of Internet and social media, you can’t breathe without it being on your permanent record. He’s not sorry he behaved in such a way as to hurt his family - he’s sorry he got caught.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:00 pm
==Please Lord, do NOT make me look at “inappropriate” photos of Ron Sandack.
Good lord almighty, what have we done to deserve this?
I could care less about this–kind of dumb of Sandack, but I think he should have just admitted it and stayed in (with the understanding that this may be better for him personally and his family). I’m not fond of legislators being blackmailed for dumb, but not criminal behavior. And he didn’t seem to have a little kid in a picture with him like some idiot in NY.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:02 pm
You can all but hear “Human League” playing behind that statement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ysoohV_zA
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:04 pm
When you are middle aged dude who has a very attractive young woman randomly coming on to you on the internet—look in the mirror and decline the invitation.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:05 pm
I admire Sandack for immediately understanding his situation, accepting responsibility, and resigning. Whatever he did privately that was “wrong,” as long as it did not direct his votes or impinge on what he owed in service to the State, he made a decision that is the least damaging to his constituents. His personal difficulties are now his to deal with out of the spotlight.
He’s no Weiner.
Comment by RIJ Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Told ya!!!! Lol
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:10 pm
-Whatever he did privately that was “wrong,” as long as it did not direct his votes or impinge on what he owed in service to the State.-
He was already doing his part by voting against funding supporting rape crisis centers. /s
Comment by Stark Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:14 pm
I can’t quite let this go. It was dumb and poor judgment, but let’s not kid ourselves that many, many other legislators have done worse–they just do it offline.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:17 pm
—
Why are Politicians so arrogant as to think they won’t get caught?
—
I doubt it’s arrogance. I suspect it’s more just an inability to gauge the chain of consequences.
Sandack annoyed the heck out of me with his smug dismissals of pain and hurt during the impasse. But here, I feel for him. He’s just a normal guy, did some unfortunate stuff, and now has to deal with even more unfortunate stuff.
I wish Sandack well.
Comment by Bobby Catalpa Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:18 pm
Not a lot of sympathy from me. This is what you get when you act like the moralizer-in-chief. Next time don’t buy a glass house Ronnie.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:18 pm
As 47th Ward observed, never pay an extortionist. It appears that Madigan’s people understand that.
Comment by JackD Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Yet another reason why Speaker Madigan has never emailed anyone or used a computer or cellphone.
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:20 pm
—
she kidnapped herself, man…
—
This ain’t ‘Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.
I hear this — read a story like this one about Sandack — and try and channel my inner Dude. Especially on a Friday.
Comment by Bobby Catalpa Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Hard to have much sympathy for him after the way he acted at times on his social media. If this were a Demo, not hard to imagine Sandack trolling hard.
Comment by The_Equalizer Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Actually, he is just like Weiner - the first time Weiner got caught. Also, he paid someone to keep it quiet. We have to wait and see if it happens again- but since Sandacks wife isn’t famous, we probably won’t hear about future events.
I’m sorry, he’s an adult. He didn’t get ‘lured’ into anything - he proudly leapt into skyping and online conversations, emotional cheating, and want to say that he’s just a man, and men can’t control their impulses….
Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:31 pm
I am surprised @RonSandack, albeit “secured”, is up and running.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Perhaps some of the glee that is being displayed here is the result of people being slapped down when they implied that Ron’s story was about something other than, cyber attacks, Ron being above “ugly” campaigns, revelations coming home from sox games and missing his family.
Comment by A Parent Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:35 pm
I’m a Democrat and yet have great respect for Sandack. Regardless of party, here’s what I think: we in this American culture have a moral panic about sex. His mistake should not be something worthy of blackmail. Our culture/media makes it so.
Comment by State worker Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:38 pm
“I did it. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:38 pm
You know, sometimes when you drive home from Sox games, you get an epiphany that trying to pay off Filipino crime rings might not be the best idea after all…
Comment by steward Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:39 pm
===- Dome Gnome -
“I did it. I was wrong. I’m sorry”===
Yep.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:44 pm
I’m going to reserve my sympathy until I find out exactly what Sandack paid to keep secret.
Sure, it could just be exchanging inappropriate pictures or sexting……but it could be something especially inappropriate.
Either way, he made the right choice to step down.
Comment by Get a Job!! Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:46 pm
what a goof ball–this was rauner’s floor leader–speaks volumes about Gov’s judgment
Comment by anon Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:47 pm
=I was never really a fan but I do respect him for being honest. It says a lot about him as a man.=
Partially honest.
He is still a public figure as evidenced by his public statement.
And, hr took great joy in trolling people via social media. I do not feel bed for him.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Too bad. He could have been a contender.
Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:49 pm
Life teaches us that it’s always the Sandacks of the world, who are constantly blowing off with big, loud, boisterous, argumentative, bombastic, indignant, show-off, judgmental tirades against people who disagree with them, who are always the biggest hypocrites. Every single time.
Comment by Raoule Duke Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Yikes. I’m not sure how far this is going, but it just “feels” like this is going to be bad.
Comment by illini97 Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Putting aside whatever people may think of Ron Snack, I feel awful for his wife and children. I couldn’t imagine having to explain to my kids what i was doing online with a stranger. I guess it could be a good teaching moment for his kids. I think of my kids all the time, and the internet connected world in which they are growing up in. |Its just terrifying to think how one silly lapse in judgement can ruin a person’s life. Sad .
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:58 pm
**To all those saying Republicans are social conservatives/take the moral high ground remember that Sandack is pro choice and voted for SSM. Just saying…**
Sandack was never pro-choice. I don’t recall any pro-choice bill that he voted for, and I can name SEVERAL that he voted against.
Comment by JoeMaddon Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 3:59 pm
==I do respect him for being honest. It says a lot about him as a man.==
No, he wasn’t honest. Anyone following this story can see that.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:04 pm
They’re calling this “sextortion ” on the evening news.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:06 pm
–His mistake should not be something worthy of blackmail. Our culture/media makes it so.–
So if it weren’t for “our culture/media” he wouldn’t have cared if other people found out?
You sure about that?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Not for nothing, but Rauner continues to prove he isn’t a guy you want in your foxhole. I guess he sees it as people take the hits for him, not the other way around.
Loyalty, not a Rauner characteristic.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:06 pm
“Not for nothing, but Rauner continues to prove he isn’t a guy you want in your foxhole.”
He’s got nobody’s back except his own.
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:13 pm
>I took their bait and fell for it hook, line and sinker…I made a mistake for which I am remorseful and ashamed; especially because I have hurt my family
I like the honesty and straight-forwardness of his statement. I have sympathy for him and his family. Though there’s something satisfying when these things happen with politicians and others who place negative moral judgement upon others, this is nothing like that.
Comment by Earnest Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:14 pm
Did he get the epiphany from a Sox game or a socks game? Seriously, I hope this is used as a teaching moment.
Comment by Casual observer Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:21 pm
JS I respect you.. but the idea that Rauner had no comment from the git says only 1 of 2 things 1. He knew whatever it was it was really bad from Sandack himself. 2. Had no credible evidence but being smart enough that something so abrupt is really bad. I respect no comment until facts come out. He may have taken the … if you have nothing nice to say. Say nothing. This one example feels that way. It may something bad enough rauner doesn’t want him in his foxhole.
Comment by Echo the bunny man Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:22 pm
For the Friday afternoon send-off, I vote for the Eagles, Lyin’ Eyes.
Comment by some doofus Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Or the Who, A Quick One While He’s Away, the one from the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus special.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:33 pm
Men in general are so dumb. Many think women want pictures of their junk and we do not. My problem with this is Sandack said he was leaving office because he wanted to spend more time with his kids. Now we know that wasn’t true.
Comment by Lol Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:40 pm
Play us out with-
Just a song before I go
A lesson to be learned
Traveling twice the speed of sound
It’s easy to get burned
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 4:45 pm