Political operative charged with sending sexually explicit images to 2nd legislator
A southwest suburban political operative is now charged with sending obscene and harassing messages to two members of the Illinois legislature.
Timothy Pawula was charged in May with sending obscene and harassing messages to a rival of his boss, then State Rep. Tim Ozinga (R-Mokena). Rep. Ozinga abruptly resigned without explanation weeks before the charges were announced.
WGN Investigates has obtained a new misdemeanor complaint filed in late September that accuses Pawula of sending similar obscene messages last year to a second state legislator.
State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) tells WGN Investigates he received fabricated graphic images that were made to appear as though he was in a sexually explicit situation with an elected official in Tinley Park.
Rita said he believes he was targeted by Pawula because of his opposition to a proposed race track and casino in Tinley Park. Rita was the vice-chairman of the Illinois House committee that oversaw gaming at the time.
State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) was also an opponent of the Tinley Park casino project. He allegedly received text messages around the same time that included fake sexually explicit images of himself, Gov. JB Pritzker and other elected officials, according to a source. That case resulted in the previously announced charges against Pawula.
"[Tinley Park] Mayor Glotz had an interest in building a race track/casino in Tinley Park that residents did not want," State Rep. Rita told WGN Investigates. "Sen. Hastings and I worked together to stop this." Rita said he has reviewed records that show Pawula did political work for the mayor of Tinley Park. Mayor Michael Glotz and a spokesperson for the village did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud
The Illinois Attorney General's office secured the new misdemeanor charges of harassment through electronic communication and transmission of obscene messages. Pawula is due in court on the new charges on Thursday.
