Rep. Aaron Schock is in full retreat, telling reporters in his central Illinois district on Friday that he has erred personally and professionally in an ethical scandal involving the use of taxpayer funds and acceptance of political support from donors.
The Journal Star newspaper of Peoria, Ill., reported that the Republican held a “hastily called” news conference at his campaign office during which he announced that he would hire an outside firm to track expenditures for his congressional office and his political operation. The third-party CPA would also examine Schock’s office procedures for other areas where they might be lax.
Schock has come under scrutiny for using taxpayer funds to pay for an expensive redecoration of his Capitol Hill office and for making frequent use of charter flights as well as other questionable travel practices that he was reimbursed for but later had to repay. The scandal threatens to derail Schock’s once promising political career.
He has hired lawyers and a communications specialists to advise him as he navigates charges of impropriety.
