* Politico reports that Schock will reimburse the government… again…
On Monday evening, POLITICO began asking questions about tens of thousands of dollars of reimbursements he received from his campaign and federal government for mileage put on his personal car. Records show that Schock personally claimed reimbursement for roughly 170,000 miles driven from January 2010 to July 2014. But the only vehicle he owned during that time was sold with just 80,000 miles on the odometer.
Asked for his response to those findings, Schock announced his resignation. […]
Later that day, Schock’s office said he would pay back all of the mileage reimbursements he has received since coming to Congress in 2009. That would amount to tens of thousands of dollars — on top of the tens of thousands he’s already had to reimburse for a private flight and the cost of redecorating his office.
Schock’s associates — many of whom are afraid to speak for attribution, fearing potential legal action — say a combination of immaturity, sloppiness and an oversized ego led to his downfall. He came to Congress as an eager 27-year-old, raised a lot of money and spent it at a rapid clip.
Scrupulous accounting, it appeared, was not a priority. On one election filing, Schock labeled a private flight as a software purchase. He failed to disclose trips abroad, as well as the use of a private golf course for a fundraiser in 2014.
* Sloppiness and a lack of “scrupulous accounting” is one way to look at this. Deliberately hiding potential criminal conduct is another. And if he’s paying back tens of thousands of dollars, he may be all but admitting that he over-billed the taxpayers, even if he said the reimbursement decision was taken out of an “abundance of caution.”
If his lawyers didn’t negotiate some kind of deal with the G in exchange for his resignation, Schock could be in some very serious hot water…
Meredith McGehee, the policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, said Schock could face criminal charges if it’s proved that he filed a false reimbursement voucher.
* More…
Washington lawyer Kenneth Gross, formerly the associate general counsel at the Federal Election Commission, which handles civil enforcement of campaign-finance rules, said Tuesday that “a number of issues have been raised regarding (Schock’s) handling of campaign funds and office expenditures, but it’s hard to know what constituted a critical mass to cause him to resign.”
One campaign-finance lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that as a general rule, the Justice Department, should it be taking a look at a lawmaker, would not be swayed one way or another by a resignation.
Schock had been under scrutiny in 2012 for allegedly soliciting a $25,000 contribution from a political action committee in excess of legal limits. But that case, before the House Ethics Committee, will go away once Schock’s resignation becomes official.
*** UPDATE *** Um, wow…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:37 am:
===If his lawyers didn’t negotiate some kind of deal with the G in exchange for his resignation, Schock could be in some very serious hot water…===
Of everything, that is why I thought he’d ride this out to cut a deal with the G.
Resigning without a deal, no leverage, no chance to try to make that part of making good.
Rosty was indicted, ran, lost, all the while trying to whittle it down, as they (Rosty and Counsel) did to 17 months.
Schock is out there now. Brett have cut a deal. Otherwise, it can go South real quick.
Schock was never going to ride out the milage to keep the seat, but ride it out to a plea. For his sake, it better had come.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:40 am:
I just got down reading about the whiz kid businessman: keeping books for local companies in junior high, ticket broker with 13 credit cards and buying real estate in high school…..
His lawyers better have cut a deal. I don’t think he could sell a Sgt. Schultz defense in court.
- Nosmo King - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:40 am:
What’s next? Probably a new pinstriped suit.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:42 am:
No sympathy for him. He, like many other politicians out there, wasn’t interested in serving the public, and because of his disdain for government, thought he could get away with lining his pockets with pretty petty scams. Good riddance! Next.
- Big Joe - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:45 am:
Definitely no sympathy for him. He knew exactly what he was doing all along. Just didn’t think that he would get caught. Sounds like a typical criminal to me.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:46 am:
Much more than the mileage issue here. The time away will be good for him, a chance to realign his schockra’s.
He kind of reminds me of a high school kid that gets busted for stealing and thinks he can just give it back and all will be forgiven. If you take an extra milk in the lunch line, ok. But, if you steal the principal’s car and strip it for parts, not so much.
- x ace - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:47 am:
Maybe miles correct ? Maybe Shock and his Car Dealer crony Rolled Back the Odometer to pluck a pigeon ?
Who’s got the Tahoe now ?
- Under Influenced - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:51 am:
Seems like they sent Jesse J., Jr. away for less…no?
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:54 am:
His resignation yesterday may have caught everyone by surprise but whoever is authorized to cut the deal. This wasn’t petulance, it looks more like efficient expedience to me. We’ll see, but my guess is some deal was cut.
- QCLib - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:55 am:
Ok, now it’s time to go all Nancy Drew on this: What other bullets were in the gun ready to be fired? Dying to know.
- Stones - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:09 am:
I’ve spent some time in DC and it’s easy to see how one’s ego can get in the way of doing your job. As much as I didn’t care for Schock in the first place, it’s still painful to see someone who has a great opportunity to blow it because of flat out greed. He’s no better than JJJ, Blago, Rostenkowski, Powell, Ryan, etc. and now his name will be mentioned in the same vein.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:15 am:
In all this mess, I have to say I feel sorry for his parents. What a letdown this must be for them.
We keep hearing about the mileage thing. Does anyone know how much per mile (in cents) the reimbursement is?
- Educated in the Suburbs - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:17 am:
Been watching local Schock supporters delete facebook statuses from last week, saying, “I know it looks bad, guys, but he’s an honest guy and a hard worker, let’s give him our support and give him a chance to explain!” Those statuses have all disappeared and those posters are all mysteriously silent in the Schock-centric chatter on facebook right now.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:19 am:
@ Streator Curmudgeon:
” Does anyone know how much per mile (in cents) the reimbursement is?”
Use Google, it’s amazing what one can find.
http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Standard-Mileage-Rates
- What Are You In For, Blondie? - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:19 am:
I suspect they’re negotiating a plea now, or soon will be. You can’t let Schock go while so many others who did essentially the same thing are in jail. OTOH, perhaps he will turn into a cooperating witness. Such a big fundraiser cookie jar, so many hands in it…
- Just askin' - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:21 am:
Schock’s Instagram account is now private. How long until the rest of his social media presence is gone?
- Casual Observer - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:23 am:
No new leaks today? Maybe that was the only negotiation he was interested in or needed to prevent further damage.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Mr. Schock’s comments to reporters are like when a parent of a teen blurts out, “Hey, son! Look at her! She’s cute! You should ask her out!”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:38 am:
“Thanks Dad”
===…said that as a general rule, the Justice Department, should it be taking a look at a lawmaker, would not be swayed one way or another by a resignation.===
lol.
Once they resign, it’s off the table, so of course they’re not swayed after. It’s the “fine lawyerin’…” that does the swaying.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:41 am:
And now we know where Aaron got his intelligence and judgment.
The only word that family should be saying publicly is “lawyer.”
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:41 am:
Thanks, Pops! How about you stop talking now?
“… looks more life efficient expedience to me.”
Of course. The dude’s famous for making good choices.
You don’t read what you write, do you?
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:43 am:
Wow, his dad saying that stuff to a reporter: Intelligence does not run in the Schock family.
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:50 am:
Pops seems like he’s in shock. No pun intended. Politely sir…please shut up.
- SAP - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:50 am:
“that’s they’re privilege.”
Can somebody give Ben Bradley a grammar lesson?
- The Drummer - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:51 am:
That’s going to make holiday dinners awkward. Well, that and the felonies.
- John A Logan - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:55 am:
Oh. My. God. That is truly bizarre. Only Illinois.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:57 am:
Puzzling response by his father. I can understand him not wanting to pile on, but to say Aaron “got a little careless” shows real contempt for the situation.
- Illini97 - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:58 am:
With a family like that, who needs enemies?
Stop answering the phone, Dad!
- pundent - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:09 am:
Sometimes criminals get sloppy and sometimes sloppiness leads to becoming a criminal. I suspect that he might get a pass on some of his sloppiness. However some of this looks like it could go well beyond poor recordkeeping (getting a $600K mortgage on a $300K piece of property). That’s where things could look very bleak.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:11 am:
Is it reading too much into the old man’s comments to conclude that the federales are already are way into Schock and he knows it?
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:16 am:
Oversharing is genetic?
- northshore cynic - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:24 am:
How many incarcerated Illinois congressmen does it take to make a quorum?
- Ryan - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:27 am:
He’ll be quite popular in prison.
- Just Me - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:28 am:
I have mixed feelings on this whole affair. While Schock definitely made stupid and self-serving mistakes and deserves to be disgraced, I can’t help but also think he is SO young and SO inexperienced. If I had been given all the opportunities at aged 27 (or age 22 for a State Representative) I wonder if I would have made some of the same mistakes.
It’s like giving a credit card to a 19-year old college kid. You can warn them all you want about credit card debt, but they will still spend money unwisely.
What does he do for a career now? He is only 33 years old?!?! If I see him on reality television I would feel so sorry for him. Such potential all gone to waste.
- gotojail - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:44 am:
He better get prosecuted for his theft. The only way to stop this type of behavior is to hammer them. Jessie Jackson got it, Aaron should too. Someone needs to start looking into auditing the rest of these people. This is a perfect example of why the State is considered a fiscal train wreck.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:45 am:
=== I can’t help but also think he is SO young and SO inexperienced. If I had been given all the opportunities at aged 27 (or age 22 for a State Representative) I wonder if I would have made some of the same mistakes.===
You know what would’ve helped?
A Staff and Crew with Schock’s best interest at heart.
But…I digress…
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:48 am:
Aaron Schock’s age wasn’t the problem. It was something else, narcissism maybe?
I want the Daily Show to interview Rod Blagojevich on Aaron Schock.
- Walter Mitty - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:58 am:
Just Me… By hands on this board people were married with kids at 27 and certainly 33… They had debt from college and a mortgage… I am human as well, there is sympathy for people. This was all on him. He chose a lifestyle paid from the public. This is a win for Illinois. A loss for him. He has had a very privileged life until now. Prison or not, he will end up fine. These types always do. No offense, save sympathy for those that need some.
- jerry 101 - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:02 pm:
Come on, Dad just means that, if some other things don’t work out, he expects lil’ Aaron to be appointed IDOC chief.
- jerry 101 - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
Seriously though, I don’t think lil’ Aaron really thought his resignation out.
I feel like he got a call from Politico about the mileage, said “ummm….yeah…can you hold that story for a few hours, please?”
Then he ran off and resigned. He’s in deep doo doo. He really needs to lawyer up.
- CLJ - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:05 pm:
I really feel like my dad would say the same thing.
I told my wife years ago when we were dating that I worked in politics so don’t plan on me being rich anytime soon. If it ever appears that I’m making a lot of money then I am probably going to end up in jail.
- b-non - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:06 pm:
Setting up for a chilly Father’s Day.
- TheDopeFromHope - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
“If they’re going to convict him on paperwork then they’re going to convict him, that’s they’re privilege.” - Rep. Aaron Schock’s father
— Ben Bradley (@BenBradleyABC7)
How about criminal proceedings for not knowing the difference between “they’re” and “their”?
- Ginhouse Tommy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:27 pm:
Schock has no excuses. If you look at the picture with Blago, that says it all. He should have learned from every mistake Blago and George Ryan made and used them as an example on how to behave. Didn’t happen. Thankfully he was stopped now before he rose in power or to a higher office where he could have got himself in even deeper. It wasn’t that he didn’t have all the perks that come with the office either. Like all congressmen he was probably waited on hand and foot. He made mistakes in his own judgement on what he did and who he hired and trusted. It cost him. For what I gather, his staff/crew let him down. Well, they’re out of a job now. I hope they enjoyed the ride.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
As usual, they took the quote out of context. What Dad really said was, “In his heart he’s always wanted to do what was right and what was good FOR HIMSELF and just got a little careless.”
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
==I can’t help but also think he is SO young and SO inexperienced.==
33 is not young, and he has been doing the political thing and the business thing for almost 20 years. I have trouble entertaining the thought that he did not know what he was doing. To the contrary, he knew exactly what he was doing and surrounded himself with “yes” men and women.
He knows how to run a bill, he knows how to run a campaign, he knows how to flip properties, he know a lot.
- Mouthy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
Just think of the contempt he must have felt for his constituents. I hope he gets what he deserves…
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
Well, if your own family won’t respect your legal rights, who will?
Schock did not own up to any criminal behavior in his resignation statement, so dad felt he had to speak for him? This comedy of errors keeps getting worse.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:19 pm:
POV Mileage Rates (Archived)
please Google the above phrase for Federal employee reimbursement rates for using your personal vehicle. Maybe these don’t apply to Congress personnel, but they sure do for those of us federals working in the field. And, if there is a government vehicle available, you use that first instead of your personal. Reimbursement is only done IF no GOV vehicle is available.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:26 pm:
Either the seriousness has just not sunk in yet, or Aaron’s lawyers do not see much of a legal problem for him going forward. Otherwise, I can’t imagine why someone handling his situation would not have firmly instructed family members and close friends of Aaron’s to not pick up the phone and to not answer the door to reporters.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
– young and inexperienced–
Please. Age has nothing to do with it.
Was Paul Powell some goofy kid with a shoe fetish?
- MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
“Two years from now Icarus will be successful, if his wax wings don’t melt and plunge him into the raging sea.” — Daedalus
– MrJM
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
@MrJM,
Excellent!
- E town - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
If he billed fed for 170,000 miles and he drove roughly 80,000 actual then at roughly 50 cents a mile he made about $45,000 to $50,000 which ain’t bad money if you don’t get caught. I imagine lots of folks in private industry fudge the mileage to get a few more bucks but this amount especially when picked up by taxpayers is obscene
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
I had no idea Tom Kacich was Schock’s dad.
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
Seems that his local financial supporters told him to bail quick, and to keep them out of court. That’s where the big money is. More than sloppy accounting, and misuse of some public funds, involved here.
- Hacksaw Jim - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
If the Feds pinched Derrick Smith over a $7,000 bribe, you gotta believe that they are gonna get Schock for defrauding the Federal government out of tens of thousands of dollars.
- Biker - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
The real crime here is that it was a Tahoe and not a Volt.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 5:14 pm:
Hacksaw, we’ll see.
The federales obviously thought Smith was a real, real big fish. Why else would they cast their lines so many times til he finally took the bait?
There’s no overt evidence that prosecutors are on Schock, but his “hope not” comments about breaking the law and his old man’s remarks indicate they might be.
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:07 pm:
Have folks here had a chance to check out Schock’s wikipedia page? Says his dad is a physician and a former local school board member. I would have thought Dad would have been smarter than to talk to the media about his son, but hey, I’m in Champaign, and I’ve never met Schock or anyone in his family.
- Good for one, good for all - Thursday, Mar 19, 15 @ 8:14 am:
Jesse Jackson Jr. is in jail for misusing funds, why wouldn’t Schock get time for defrauding the government and misusing funds?