VILLA PARK, Ill., March 28 (UPI) -- A mayoral candidate in Villa Park, Ill., has apologized for images of him that surfaced on a sex website.
Candidate John Heidelmeier, the town's former police chief, issued a statement Wednesday apologizing to his family and supporters for the "personally embarrassing" pictures, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Two photos of Heidelmeier were posted on a website that states it offers "your most diverse phone sex experience." The photos, one of which exposes Heidelmeier's genitalia, were dated in February.
"How this became public is meaningless," he said in the statement, "but I want to assure my opponent and supporters that I will stay steadfast in the race and let the voters take a careful look at the real issues facing Villa Park on April 9.
"I did nothing unlawful or anything that diminishes my ability to serve the people of Villa Park."
Villa Park Trustee John Davis, a critic of Heidelmeier, said someone anonymously put a printout of the website and pictures in his mailbox, adding he then brought them to Heidelmeier's home.
"I said, 'I run an honest campaign, and I want nothing to do with this.' And I handed it to him," Davis said late Wednesday. "He was surprised."
Davis added that the pictures were "spreading through town like wildfire."
Heidelmeier's opponent, Trustee Deborah Bullwinkel, said her campaign had nothing to do with the pictures.
"I really feel bad for John [Heidelmeier] and his family. I really do," she said.
