Nick Sauer: Illinois Republican quits after being accused of 'catfishing’ men by posting ex-girlfriend’s naked photos on Instagram

The Illinois state representative has stepped down after his former girlfriend made the accusations in a formal complaint

An Illinois state representative has resigned following allegations that he created a fake Instagram account filled with naked photos of his ex-girlfriend in order to "catfish" other men.

Nick Sauer posted “privately shared naked photos” of Kate Kelly on Instagram without her consent, she reportedly alleged when she filed a complaint with the state Legislative Inspector General .

“Nick would use this account to direct message men with my photos to engage in graphic conversations of a sexual nature,” Ms Kelly wrote in the complaint which was obtained by the Politico website.

“The men believed they were communicating with me and Nick shared private details of my life,” she added.

Mr Sauer, a member of the state House Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Task Force, stepped down on Wednesday following widespread calls for his resignation, including from within his own party.

In a statement, Mr Sauer said his duties would be affected "by the distraction of addressing these allegations.

"After speaking with my family, I feel it best to step away from my public responsibilities," the first term lawmaker said.

Ms Kelly, who is from California, says she met Mr Sauer on Tinder in 2016. She told Politico that the pair started a long-distance relationship and would “share very private photos with each other, as many couples do".

He complaint alleged that she moved to Chicago to be closer to her boyfriend. After the two broke up, she discovered an Instagram account featuring her nude photos.

When she confronted Mr Sauer about it, Ms Kelly claims, he confessed to “catfishing” at least eight men with her photos over the last two years.

Catfishing refers to creating fake personas to trick others into sham conversations on the internet.

The state’s Acting Legislative Inspector General, Julie Porter, would not confirm the report, telling The Independent in a statement that she is “not able to comment on investigations”.

State Senator Melinda Bush, co-chair of the Senate Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention Task Force, said the allegations against Mr Sauer go “beyond harassment and crosses the line between predatory and criminal”.

The non-consensual dissemination of private, sexual images is a felony offence in Illinois. Mr Sauer has not been charged with any crimes.

The allegations come after more than 300 women signed onto a letter describing a culture of sexual harassment and misogyny at the state capital.

The legislature quickly adopted a bill prohibiting the sexual harassment of legislators and lobbyists, and requiring state agencies to adopt harassment policies.