Lawmaker Accused Of Trying To Sabotage Sex Abuse Case

Prosecutors accused U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds of trying to sabotage their sex abuse case against him by persuading a teenager to recant her claims, writing the affidavits she gave and paying her lawyer.

At a pre-trial hearing Wednesday, prosecutors said Reynolds arranged two affidavits in which Beverly Heard and her lesbian lover claimed prosecutors threatened them with jail if Heard refused to make wiretapped phone calls in which she and Reynolds discussed sexual encounters.

In a separate written motion, they said Reynolds had an aide in his Washington office type the affidavits from Reynolds’ own handwritten notes. The aide then gave copies to prosecutors.

Reynolds, a two-term Chicago Democrat, is charged with having sex with Heard, a campaign volunteer, starting in 1992 when she was 16. He also is charged with trying to obstruct investigators.

Assistant State’s Attorney Andrea Zopp said Reynolds paid Heard’s lawyer, Reginald Turner, approximately $3,000 in January and February. She didn’t say what the payments were for.

Turner announced at a hearing in January that Heard was taking back her accusations that she had sex with Reynolds.

Reynolds, 43, declined to comment on the hearing.