Lawyers for former Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., are accusing federal prosecutors of prosecutorial misconduct over asking witnesses about his sexual orientation and his past sexual relationships.
“For no apparent reason, the government has felt itself compelled to investigate this too. Indeed, from the very inception of this investigation, the government has discussed with witnesses whether Mr. Schock is gay, whether he really ‘dated’ his ex-girlfriend (a highly accomplished diplomat and attorney), and whether he spent the night or shared hotel rooms with her,” Shock’s lawyer said in one filing.
His lawyers excoriated federal prosecutors for repeatedly asking “irrelevant and highly invasive questions about Mr. Schock’s sexual orientation and relationships” and are pushing for the charges against the former congressman to be dropped.
Shock is facing a 24-count grand jury criminal indictment over accusations of using House and campaign funds to support a lavish lifestyle. The Justice Department last year said Schock was involved in a “scheme to defraud the government, his campaign committees, and others for his direct personal benefit and for the benefit of others.”
“The government has investigated nearly every facet of Mr. Schock’s professional, political, and personal life. This even includes his sex life. It is no secret that there has long been speculative gossip in the media about Mr. Schock’s sexual orientation,” Schock’s lawyer added.
Shock’s trial is scheduled for January 2018 before a federal court judge, following years of investigation.
