A southwest suburban political operative is now accused of sending obscene and harassing messages to two members of the Illinois legislature.

Timothy Pawula was charged in May sending obscene and harassing messages to a rival of his boss, then state Rep. Tim Ozinga (R-Mokena). representative Ozinga suddenly resigned without explanation weeks before the charges were announced.

WGN Investigates obtained a new misdemeanor complaint filed in late September that accuses Pawula of sending similar lewd messages last year to a second state lawmaker.

Rep. state Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) told WGN Investigates that he received fabricated graphic images that were made to appear as if he was in an explicit sexual situation with an elected official in Tinley Park.

Rita said she believes Pawula was targeted because of his opposition to a proposed racetrack and casino in Tinley Park. Rita was the vice chairman of the Illinois House committee that oversaw the games 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 sexually explicit fake images of himself, Gov. JB Pritzker and other elected officials, according to a source. This case led to the previously announced charges against Pawula.

“(Tinley Park) Mayor Glotz had an interest in building a racetrack/casino in Tinley Park that the residents did not want,” state Rep. Rita told WGN Investigates. “Sen. Hastings and I worked together to stop this.” Rita said she reviewed records showing Pawula did political work for the Tinley Park mayor. Mayor Michael Glotz and a village spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime and fraud

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office secured the new charges of electronic harassment and sending obscene messages. Pawula is due in court on the new charges on Thursday.

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