Republican Ron Sandack Paid Extortionist $3,000 in July Before Resigning: Police

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Following an appeal made by the Associated Press, it was confirmed that Downers Grove resident and Ex-House Republican Ron Sandack had wired $3,000 to an extortionist in the Philippines before telling police in July.

Sandack acknowledged in September that he had an “inappropriate” Skype conversation with a woman who contacted him through Facebook, the AP reported.

This conversation has remained secret, but Downers Grove police said Thursday that Sandack had answered extortion demands of $1,000 and then $2,000 over the two days following the conversation. He alerted the police only when he was asked for $5,000 and resigned in July.

The report of the case Downers Grove police provided to journalists and the public was criticized for being heavily redacted, the AP reported, and police disclosed further information only when appeals from the AP and other news media made it clear the department was violating the Freedom of Information Act.

While the news media now has access to more of the report, it is still heavily redacted, the AP reported.

Sandack did not comment on the news Thursday.

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Photo courtesy of the AP.