Rep. Aaron Schock Under Federal Investigation

By aaroncynic in News on Mar 20, 2015 4:10PM

A formal criminal investigation has been launched into the office and campaign expenses of resigning Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock, as well as his personal business dealings with political donors, the AP reports. Schock announced his resignation earlier this week amid national controversy over his spending habits, alleged fraudulent mileage reimbursements and regal office redecoration.

Anonymous sources informed the AP the FBI began issuing subpoenas to people close to Schock while the government convenes a grand jury, which will hear testimony in early April. The State-Journal Register reports federal agents have already delivered subpoenas to Schock's Peoria offices and demanded access to his records. The Congressman was already under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and was likely to face a probe by the Office of Congressional Ethics, both of which will end on March 31 when his resignation takes effect.

Meanwhile, the Sun-Times also reports the Federal Elections Commission is taking a look at Schock's campaign funds as well.

Whether or not Schock could face prison time is unclear. In an interview with Roll Call, Craig Holman of Public Citizen, a D.C. based think-tank, said that the government is “very liberal” on how members are allowed to use their funds and that the FEC has deadlocked on taking action against violators. Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center told Roll Call that outside of repaying the money— which Schock already did for his Downton Abbey themed office redecoration and the mileage he claimed— it’s unlikely he may face other criminal penalties. Investigators would “really have to show a smoking gun,” said McGehee.

Right now, it all depends on what else the feds might find in their investigations. After all, it only took lavish spending on capes, memorabilia and a fancy watch to land former Rep Jesse Jackson Jr. with a 30 month sentence.