BREAKING: Joe Severino, Candidate For Illinois Governor Accused Of Creating False AI To Discredit the Dupage County Sheriff
Caution: This article is not for children due to the sexual content
August 14, 2025
Val Ojeda, Writer
Information has been received by a public post on social media, Facebook by the Sheriff of Dupage County a candidate for Illinois Governor accusing his rival, Joseph Severino also a candidate in the primary for the Republican nomination for Governor of creating a fake video of a sexual nature involving a child.
In his posting the first in his campaign responding to his opponent, that Joe Severino attempted to contract an IT company to construct an AI video of the Sheriff smoking crystal meth with a 14 year old teenage girl in an effort to discredit the Sheriff and his campaign for Governor with threats to drop out of the campaign “or else”.
The IT company explained they had a long-standing relationship with Mr. Severino but in good conscience refused his disturbing request and they had to report to the Police of possible illegal wrongdoing.
The company not only defended it's actions but were disgusted with what Mr. Severino requested them to create by using AI, artificial intelligence. The request made by Severino was a short realistic video making it appear that Sheriff Mendrick was smoking crystal meth, a dangerous drug with a 14 year old girl. This is reminiscent of legitimate videos of Hunter Biden smoking meth with prostitutes that eventually led to the downfall of his father, former President Joe Biden.
According to sources the President of this company reached out to the Police explaining that Severino wanted his company to create this video not only to destroy the popular Republican Sheriff's campaign but to have him forced to resign his position as the county's Sheriff.
Next the Sheriff's campaign was notified of the attempt to create a vile video of the Sheriff and a young child leaving the assumption it was to be a relationship of a sexual nature.
In many states this is considered illegal and a form of reputational extortion.
In Illinois the law is very clear:
“ Defamation: If AI-generated content (like a deepfake image or manipulated audio) contains false statements about an individual that harm their reputation, it could be considered defamation.
Unauthorized Use of Digital Replicas: Illinois law, specifically HB 4875, effective January 1, 2025, prohibits the unauthorized use of AI-generated digital replicas (defined as electronic representations of an individual's voice, image, or likeness) without the individual's consent. This means creating an AI version of someone's likeness and using it to damage their reputation could violate this law.
Privacy Violations: Using someone's likeness without their consent, particularly in a way that is misleading or damaging, can also lead to privacy violations.
Criminal Penalties: While the direct creation of AI isn't the crime, if the resulting AI-generated content is used for malicious purposes, such as creating child sexual abuse material, then existing laws against child pornography would apply, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Illinois has also clarified that child pornography laws extend to AI-generated images and videos. Additionally, intentionally disclosing explicit synthetic media that causes substantial emotional distress can result in criminal penalties.
Potential Liability for Distribution: The law holds not only the creators but also distributors and individuals who knowingly facilitate the distribution of unauthorized digital replicas responsible for violations.”
The Police department is investigating.
The owner of the company who chose not to have the name of his company disclosed, explained that he is willing to assist the Police and broke all ties with Severino and contacted the Sheriff to disclose additional details of this disturbing request.
Severino on social media today was condemned by numerous leaders in the Republican Party. As of yet not one Republican in Illinois has supported or endorsed his campaign because of his liberal beliefs and running as a Democrat just last year in 2024. Severino has unsuccessfully ran for Congress numerous times but failed.
Candidates go to great lengths to eliminate the competition but this may be the first for not only Illinois voters but voters nationwide.
Severino is no stranger to the courts. He filed a bankruptcy and has numerous liens filed against to possess his home and property to satisfy numerous court judgments.
In 2023, it was reported that he committed outright theft for refusing to pay a printer in Elgin, Illinois for $5,000.00 of campaign signs. When the vendor demanded payment instead he responded with threats. Later he provided three checks that later bounced because the bank account was closed. Under force of arrest for deceptive practice and theft of services, Severino's wife Nichole Severino processed payment on her personal credit cards to satisfy the debt in a course of a month for lack of funds
As of recent two high profile Republican leaders and members of the media filed orders of protection independently including a lawsuit for slander and defamation of character. In last months court appearance Severino attempted to bully the judge for which the Cook County Judge in Bridgeview, Illinois to have Severino thrown out of the courtroom by force. Also in that appearance the lawyer for Severino filed for a withdrawal from the case because of non payment of legal fees.
Severino made numerous statements to Police Officers and Officers of the Court in an attempt of intimidation that he was a lawyer himself. Attorney Tom Devore, a former candidate for Attorney General and vocal Republican reported in his investigation that Severino is not a member of any Bar in fifty states. It was discovered he was being untruthful of him being an Illinois attorney according to the ARDC.
It was reported by the Police and Sheriff's Officers attempting to serve Severino orders of protection at his home, that he vocally stated to the Police he was indeed a lawyer which is false impersonation in the State of Illinois, a class 4 FELONY which the Police are now investigating using there body cameras as evidence when refusing to answer the door to be served.
A supporter of Black Lives Matter Severino is known for being anti-Police attacking numerous Police Officers on social media and a Substack known as the Illinois record (www.illinoisrecord.com) a gossip blog paid for by the Democrat Party and Democrat Governor JB Pritzker.
The “reporter”of this hit gossip column, Max Rice extorts Republican candidates to quit their campaigns by threats of exposure accusing innocent Conservatives of being pedophile child lovers and members of the communist part, the CCP.
Rice, a failed candidate for Congress was recently arrested for a violent battery in Chicago. It has been reported that Rice impersonates being a reporter for legit news organizations to gain confidence of the conservatives to later write lies in his blog to discredit Republican leaders and candidates.
His father Mark Rice, a supporter of Max Rice actions is running for Congress in the 8th Congressional District. Mark Rice, as businessman is a prior failed candidate for Congress.
Recently Rocio Cleveland, a contributer to this blog, attempted to extort the Sheriff of Dupage County, Mendrick of having a sexual relationship with a young female child but backtracked under threat of a lawsuit.
More is under investigation in our report. If you are a victim of these three individuals please contact us by email to investigate and validate more allegations as hundreds of Republicans in Illinois are coming toward with stories of attacks and threats made by Severino, Rice and Cleveland.
You can email us at:
www.theillinoisrepublican@outlook.com Att: Val Ojeda, Editor of The Illinois Republican
Thank you!