A trial date has been set in the matter related to former Illinois State Representative Nicholas Sauer. According to the Lake County Clerk website, Sauer will face a jury trial to take place at 9:00am on August 8th in courtroom T510.
Sauer is indicted on 12 counts of Non-consensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images. Each count is class 4 felony which can bring a sentence of 1 to 3 years and a fine of up to $25,000.
The charges were brought after a former girlfriend filed a complaint accusing Sauer of publicly releasing nude photos of her on the internet, according to reports. The former girlfriend, Kate Kelly, alleged that Sauer created a fake Instagram account and used the photos to “catfish” men. This involves enticing web users into participating in graphic discussions of a sexual nature.
Kelly filed the complaint with the Illinois Legislative Inspector General’s Office and the Chicago Police Department.
Sauer was a sitting Illinois State Representative seeking a second term when the alleged behavior took place.
As State Representative, Sauer was considered as an up and comer in Republican electoral politics. At 34 years old and representing Illinois District 51 that included Deer Park, Forest Lake, Green Oaks, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Long Grove, Mundelein and North Barrington, his political career was on a sharp incline. Sauer was popular in Springfield, made the right moves and Democrats had a difficult time recruiting candidates to run against him. Prior to becoming State Rep, he was elected to the Lake County Board and Barrington Community School District 220.
On August 1st, 2018, Politico reported on the allegations involving the use of the nude photos. Sauer resigned from his post on the same day. In January of 2019, he was charged with the 12 felony counts.
Helene Miller Walsh was appointed to fill the 51st District Rep seat. Her tenure was however short lived as she lost to Democrat Mary Edly-Allen in the November 2018 general election cycle.
References:
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/01/illinois-lawmaker-nude-photos-754563
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Sauer