Former congressman is indicted for alleged false expense claims; 'Downton Abbey' decorating cited
Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois was indicted on Thursday on charges of defrauding the federal government and his campaign committees out of about $100,000 by submitting false invoices for office redecorating and personal expenses.
Schock was accused of covering up the fraud with false statements and paperwork, and of failing to report the additional income to himself on his tax returns, according to a press release. The charges include wire and mail fraud, theft of government funds, false statements and filing false federal income tax returns. The Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post have stories.
Schock’s expenditures were questioned in the press after he redecorated his congressional office with a Downton Abbey motif. The Republican congressman resigned in March 2015.
According to the government press release, Schock paid $40,000—including $5,000 for a chandelier—to decorate and furnish his congressional office. He allegedly sought $25,000 from the House for the project, saying the money was used to structure the space to accommodate staff needs at two offices. He also received more than $8,000 from three campaign committees for project-related expenses, the press release alleges.
He is also accused of receiving $29,000 from the House for camera equipment used by his personal photographer, buying a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe for his personal use with campaign funds, and submitting claims for mileage reimbursement that exceeded miles actually driven by about 150,000 miles.
Schock is represented by George Terwilliger. The lawyer issued a statement saying the government is “criminalizing a handful of administrative mistakes.” He also said that charging Schock two days after the election “has all the appearances of a politically calculated ambush.”
Schock also issued a statement. “I intend to not only prove these allegations false, but in the process, expose this investigation for what it was,” Schock said.
