[KarlMalone]

Nude photos prompt blackmail probe in Boynton Beach

A Boynton Beach city commissioner sent naked pictures of herself to her lover, eventually prompting a criminal investigation into whether a lobbyist used the photos to blackmail her, according to documents obtained by The Palm Beach Post.

Marlene Ross, a commissioner for five years, told prosecutors last month that she felt lobbyist and former Commissioner David Katz had pressured her for years, trying to sway her votes on many key issues. She even admitted she lied last year when she signed a letter saying he’d never lobbied her....

In late 2010 or early 2011, Ross told prosecutors, she had sent her first cousin Rogelio Vera – via private messaging on Facebook — “compromising” photos of herself that she’d previously created.

“You had some sort of relationship?” State Attorney’s Office Detective Robert Flechaus asked Ross in a Sept. 12 interview.

“Yes,” Ross said in audio supplied to The Post.

It was in late 2010, Ross said.

“He started with the flirting,” she said. “I said, ‘Oh, c’mon. This is not right.’ He’s a first cousin. ‘This is not right. You’ve got to stop.’”