Children sue former state Rep. Farnham over child pornography videos
Two children have sued former state Rep. Keith Farnham for more than $150,000 in damages, saying they appeared in pornographic videos he was sent to prison for downloading.
The lawsuit uses the pseudonyms Erin and Fiona, who argue the acts that were recorded caused them "long - lasting and permanent harm. Unlike victims of a time - limited trauma, victims of child pornography are continuously aware that their child sex abuse images will never disappear," the lawsuit reads.
Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, started serving a prison term last year. His imprisonment finished a case that started with a federal raid of his home and state office in Elgin, where investigators found data that showed he had been trading child pornography on a state computer.
"12 is about as old as I can handle. i love them at 6 7 8," Farnham is quoted as writing in a message.
The attorney who represented him, Terry Ekl, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Farnham is serving an eight-year term at a federal prison in North Carolina.
In court last year, Farnham appeared in a wheelchair and his attorneys said he was terminally ill.
"I brought this upon them and for that I am truly sorry," he said at his sentencing.
"I don't pray for forgiveness for the consequences, but I do pray for forgiveness for the acts," he said.
Shortly after his sentencing, state officials revoked his more than $1,200 monthly pension. The latest lawsuit was filed this week.