Accuser's phone data given to Sauer attorneys
Lake County prosecutors have turned over computer discs containing data pulled from the phone of one of two women accusing former state lawmaker Nick Sauer of posting their nude images without consent.
However, attorneys for Sauer said Wednesday they need to review the data before determining whether to request further testing of the phone.
Prosecutors handed over the data after Sauer's attorneys filed court documents last week stating one of his accusers refused to allow forensic testing of her phone.
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Fred Day said in court Wednesday that a test was conducted last year and the information was given to defense lawyers. The phone was returned to the woman after testing and she's since been allowed to use it as she wishes, Day said.
Sauer attorneys Daniel Locallo and Steven Landis said they will review the files and return to court March 21 with a decision whether to seek more tests.
Sauer, 36, of Lake Barrington, has pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images stemming from the women's allegations. If found guilty, he could be sentenced up to three years in prison or probation, authorities said.
The legislator resigned from his state House District 51 seat last summer after a former girlfriend accused him of posting nude photos of her on Instagram.
The unidentified woman said Sauer created an Instagram account using her name and placed the images there to lure men into graphic discussions.
After the allegations surfaced, another woman, Melissa Kreithen, came forward with suspicions she also may have been targeted by Sauer. Authorities said they found pictures Kreithen sent to Sauer on a fake Instagram account during an investigation.
Sauer, a Republican, was elected to the state House in 2016. He previously served on the Lake County Board and the Barrington Unit District 220 school board.
As part of his release on bond, Sauer is barred from using social media and cannot contact either of his accusers.