'Sextortion' Scandal Made State Rep. Ron Sandack Throw in the Towel: Police Reports

An international "sextortion" scheme is reportedly to blame for a local representative's July resignation from the General Assembly.

Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, swiftly stepped down from his position this summer after allegedly engaging in recorded cybersex with a woman in her early 20s, according to an ABC7 report. The woman then used the video conversation as leverage, saying she would release it via Facebook if Sandack didn't pony up the undisclosed money she demanded.

"The Downers Grove father of two connected via Skype video-where internet users see and speak to each other on their computer screens," the story said. "Although the nature of the conversation between Sandack and the woman is blacked out in the Downers Grove police report, similar blackmail schemes have resulted in disrobing and sex talk between the participants."

• READ: State Rep. Ron Sandack Quits

Authorities have screenshots of the conversation, the story says, and the money Sandack paid to keep the video hush-hush landed in the Philippines.

"In a statement at the time he quit in July, Sandack claimed he had been a victim of an 'internet scam' and that he had concerns about 'cyber security issues,'" the story said. "Now, (Sandack says) 'I'm human ... I made a mistake for which I am remorseful and ashamed ... "

Sandack's replacement will face Greg Hose, a Downers Grove Democrat, in November's 81st House District race. The district covers parts of Bolingbrook, Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Westmont and Woodridge.

Read the full ABC7 story for more on this widespread international trend.