Ozinga Aide Charged with Harassing Sen. Mike Hastings
Former Rep. Tim Ozinga
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Timothy Pawula, an aide to now-resigned Rep. Tim Ozinga, has been charged with harassing Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Tinley Park) with explicit digital messages during Hastings’ 2022 campaign for re-election.
We received a tip a few weeks ago that Ozinga and his top staff were under investigation for misdeeds in the 2022 campaign but were unable to confirm details until the indictment became public Thursday.
Ozinga, who resigned from the House last month, and his political operation were heavily involved in the 2022 campaign of Republican Patrick Sheehan, who lost to Hastings in the south suburban Senate district by 981 votes.
The Attorney General’s office is accusing Pawula of sending text messages to Hastings from a “burner” phone number which included fake sexually explicit images of Hastings, Gov. JB Pritzker and other elected officials.
In a statement, Ozinga denied any knowledge of Pawula’s alleged actions.
“I had zero knowledge of the incident and was not aware that any charges were being filed until after I had already retired from the General Assembly,” he said. “When I did find out about it, I disciplined the employee, he was put on unpaid leave, and justice will be served.”
Ozinga has not been charged in any role in the incident. He says he was not interviewed or questioned by Illinois State Police or the Attorney General’s office.
Ozinga said ISP and the AG’s office said neither he or his political organization is under investigation.
The Attorney General’s office did not comment outside of the charging document.
Pawula is charged with harassment through electronic communication, transmission of obscene messages and obscenity.
Ozinga engineered Sheehan’s appointment to the House following his resignation.
In a statement, Sheehan said he had no role in the alleged incident.
“I was unaware of any messages sent and I don’t condone any behavior that is harassing in nature,” he said. “My focus is working with my colleagues, constituents, and other stakeholders to address the needs of the 37th District.”
Pawula is due before a judge next month.