The Latest: Prosecutors to drop case against ex-Rep. Schock
CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on the case against ex-Rep. Aaron Schock (all times local):
12:40 p.m.
Former Rep. Aaron Schock says there’s “no doubt” he was targeted by federal prosecutors in central Illinois when he was originally charged in a 22-count indictment.
Schock spoke to reporters Wednesday after he promised to repay taxes and his campaign committees in exchange for federal prosecutors in northern Illinois dismissing the case against him. Schock said he thinks prosecutors in central Illinois saw him as a “ticket to stardom.”
His defense attorney, George Terwilliger, called prosecutors in central Illinois “overzealous.”
The case was originally filed in central Illinois. The Justice Department transferred it to prosecutors in Chicago last year.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of Illinois said Wednesday that it had no comment on Schock’s allegations.
Schock said the outcome of the case validates that it “should never have been started in the first place.”
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11:55 a.m.
Former Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois admitted in federal court as a part of a deal with prosecutors in his corruption case that he purchased World Series and Super Bowl tickets at face value and sold them for a profit of more than $42,000.
Schock appeared Wednesday morning in Chicago federal court during a hearing. Prosecutors said they would drop his felony corruption case if he agreed to repay taxes and his campaign committees. He also admitted during the hearing that he submitted mileage reimbursements without documentation.
After the hearing, Schock said he made mistakes, such as record keeping, but said they weren’t crimes. He said “part of that was because I was working my tail off” representing a large congressional district that includes more than 200 communities.
Schock represented parts of central Illinois. He resigned from Congress in 2015 amid scrutiny of his spending.
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10:30 a.m.
Former Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois has agreed to repay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and to campaign committees in exchange for prosecutors dismissing his felony corruption case.
Schock appeared Wednesday morning in Chicago federal court where he agreed to repay his three campaign committees nearly $68,000. He must work with the Internal Revenue Service to determine how much he owes in taxes. If he holds up his part of the deal, prosecutors will drop the original felony counts that were filed against him within six months.
Schock resigned from Congress in 2015 amid scrutiny of his spending. He was indicted in 2016 on 22 counts, including wire fraud and falsification of election commission filings.
Schock told reporters after Wednesday’s court hearing that “there was never an attempt by me or my staff to commit crimes.”
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10:30 a.m.
Former Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock is scheduled to appear in court for the first time since the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved in his corruption case.
A federal judge in Chicago set a Wednesday hearing for the 37-year-old, who once was a rising star of the Republican Party.
Schock resigned from Congress in 2015 amid scrutiny of his spending, including redecorating his office in the style of the “Downton Abbey” TV series. He was indicted in 2016 on 22 counts, i ncluding wire fraud and falsification of election commission filings.
Schock has pleaded not guilty.
His attorneys argued the case should be dismissed, saying his prosecution violated separation-of-powers clauses. The Supreme Court declined last month to consider it.
The case was originally filed in central Illinois. The Justice Department transferred it to prosecutors in Chicago last year.
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Check out the AP’s complete coverage of former Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock.
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