Elyse Hoffenberg, a Democratic politician from Illinois, in the United States, decided to publish security camera footage showing herself kissing Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek, 70, on the mouth. The 51-year-old Democrat stated she took this action to get ahead of people who were trying to blackmail her, threatening to release the video if she did not withdraw from her electoral campaign.
The footage shows the two inside the locked office of the Lyons Township secretary's office, shortly before 6:45 PM on July 13. Elyse Hoffenberg is a candidate for the position of Cook County commissioner and holds the post of administrative secretary of Lyons Township. Steven Landek is a former state senator and veteran Democratic leader in the state.
In a statement to the press, Hoffenberg stated she released the recording "in the name of transparency," after alleging that opponent(s) attempted to use the scene to force her to abandon the electoral race. The strategy was interpreted as a way to neutralize the attempt to use the compromising material against her.
