Congressman Aaron Schock Used Campaign Funds To Get A Six-Pack

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 30, 2012 4:40PM

The political ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington released a report yesterday that takes aim at the expenditures of "America's Fittest Congressman," Aaron Schock of Illinois' 18th District. The report claims Schock's campaign fund reimbursed him over $150,000 during the 2008 and 2010 campaign cycles for expenses ranging from a resort stay in Greece to $300 for a P90X workout video program.

Judging from Schock's core, we'd say he received a sizable return on that investment.

Schock listed the P90X purchase as a "health care" expense, which is noteworthy in that he's opposed to the Obama health care plan, nor does he believe the state should be paying for your health care.

CREW executive director Melanie Sloan said the reimbursements, which include payments of $24,000 to Schock's mother, indicate a failure of his congressional duties.

“A campaign account is not a personal slush fund,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “It’s hard to fathom how a hotel stay in Greece could be a legitimate campaign expense, but that accounts for only a small portion of the money Rep. Schock pocketed from his campaign. Conduct like this reinforces the widely held view that members of Congress are more interested in enriching themselves and their family members than in public service.”

Sloan also noted that Schock isn't alone here. CREW reported 248 members of Congress have used their positions to enrich themselves or their families. The full report is available here (PDF).