Illinois state Rep. Nick Sauer (R) is being accused by an ex-girlfriend of publishing nude photos of her on a fake Instagram account to lure men into graphic discussions, according to Politico.
The news outlet reported on Wednesday that Kate Kelly made the accusation in an official complaint filed with the Illinois's Office of the Legislative Inspector General.
The complaint, which was obtained by Politico, says Saur used the Instagram account to catfish other men using my privately shared naked photos. Nick would use this account to direct message men with my photos to engage in graphic conversations of a sexual nature. "The men believed they were communicating with me and Nick shared private details of my life.
Kelly also said in her complaint that she filed a police report with the Chicago Police Department and that there is an investigation into her allegations, Politico reported.
Kelly told Politico that she began a long-distance relationship with Saur in 2016, but that they broke up in 2018 after Kelly discovered he was dating other women.
Kelly added to Politico that Sauer reached out to Kelly in June to apologize over email. Kelly says Sauer then transferred $2,000 into her bank account to pay the travel expenses she had taken on during their relationship. Shortly after that, Kelly said she discovered the fake Instagram account.
Kelly claimed in her complaint that a man she did not know said he had been communicating for four months with someone pretending to be her. Kelly also said Sauer admitted to creating the Instagram account.
He came to my house & confessed to catfishing men with my photos for 2 years to at least 8 men," she said, according to Politico. "He was unable to provide the names and begged that I let it go."
Kelly said that she contacted Instagram after her discovery and that the company took down the account. Politico notes that no charges have been filed against Sauer, who is running for reelection to a second term in the state's 51st District.