A digitally manipulated image of State Rep. Maureen Bauer has recently surfaced online in what is being called “a sextortion attempt,” a news release from the Indiana House of Representatives says.
Bauer, D-South Bend, has filed reports with the Indiana State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation over the image. Her team is also working with “appropriate platforms and legal channels” to have the image removed and those responsible for its creation held accountable.
State Rep. Maureen Bauer and fellow lawmakers gather in the Indiana Statehouse on Org Day, or organization day on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Indianapolis.
“No one should ever be subjected to this kind of violation,” reads the statement from Anna Groover, communications director for the Indiana House of Representatives. “Deepfake exploitation and the creation of altered sexual images are a form of abuse and will not be tolerated.”
She urged the public “not to view, share, or circulate this harmful content,” and to report it immediately to law enforcement and website or app administrators.
It’s the second time an Indiana politician has been faced with the issue of deepfakes.
Mooresville Republican Rep. Craig Haggard learned in August that a deepfake video portraying his wife topless was possibly circulating online. He had not seen the video himself and Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith told IndyStar his office “has found no evidence that a video was ever produced or viewed by anyone internally.”
As of state legislation passed in 2024, creating or distributing non-consensual pornographic deepfakes is a misdemeanor offense in Indiana. President Donald Trump signed a federal law in May making the publication of so-called “revenge porn” online or on social media punishable by prison time.
More: Indiana lawmaker says prosecutor is investigating alleged topless deepfake of his wife
IndyStar reporters Kayla Dwyer and Brittany Carloni contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fake image of Indiana Rep. Maureen Bauer part of ‘sextortion attempt’