Schock blasts “rogue prosecutor”
Thursday, Mar 7, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Andy Kravetz of the Peoria Journal Star has a good explainer about former US Rep. Aaron Schock’s deal…
The Peoria Republican, who resigned from office four years ago amid allegations of fiscal misconduct, entered a plea in a downtown Chicago courtroom on behalf of his campaign committee to a Federal Election Commission violation for inadequately keeping paperwork. Schock himself didn’t plead to anything. The committee, as an entity, was found in violation.
To be dropped were what’s left of nearly two dozen allegations against him claiming years of criminal activity. […]
A $25,000 fine was levied and he faces six months of supervision under the program, during which he must cooperate with the rest of the terms of the deal. Schock, 37, must repay his main campaign committee and the IRS money as outlined in the agreement.
Schock also acknowledged erring in his responsibility to accurately report expenses — including for mileage reimbursement — for his campaign committees. Three of those committees will collectively receive $67,956 according to the deal. He also stated in the document that he didn’t report income from the resale of some tickets, including to the World Series and Super Bowl, on his tax returns to the tune of $42,375. Both were items prosecutors had raised during the criminal case.
* CBS…
In an interview on Wednesday, Schock said that he is relieved that his four-year legal fight is over and blamed “a rogue prosecutor” for pursuing a case “without merit.”
“I have been trying to survive the last four years. When you go toe-to-toe with the federal government, they have an unlimited budget and most Americans don’t,” he said. “It’s come at significant cost to me financially and professionally and now that this is behind me, I’m looking forward to pursuing opportunities in the private sector. I’ll always have a heart to serve, that doesn’t’ mean I have to run for office. There are other ways to serve your community.” […]
Schock said the agreement to have his campaign committee plead guilty to a misdemeanor is mostly a technical matter.
“So they want me to say what I said four years ago? Okay. I mean, when I left office I said I could have done a better job of back-office functions,” he said, conceding that between his congressional office work, committee assignments and work to elect other Republicans to Congress, he’d been less than careful with his paperwork.
* Sun-Times…
Having the deal secured, Schock then returned fire. He said the Justice Department should investigate the prosecutor in Springfield in charge of the case against him.
Schock was referring to the one-time lead prosecutor on his case Timothy Bass, who was in the running to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois at the same time he was pursuing Schock, his biggest “catch.”
Instead, President Donald Trump tapped John Milhiser for the Springfield-based post.
“I’ve been wronged in this process by a prosecutor who saw me as his ticket to stardom and who was allowed to go unchecked,” a relieved Schock said in the lobby.
* WEEK TV…
[Director of Legal Studies at Illinois State University and former attorney Tom McClure] explains, “If you look at the agreement that was singed by everyone he acknowledges that he basically scalped tickets for over $42,000 worth of profits and that he evaded income taxes. So, he acknowledges some things that were clearly criminal acts.”
But it is his campaign committee, Schock for Congress, that leaves this situation with a misdemeanor charge, not Schock.
“I think that was something that Aaron Schock the man, instead upon. I think Aaron Schock had an excellent defense attorney and he held firm on this,” McClure said.
* Huppke…
In the agreement, Schock admitted “he had a regular practice as a public officeholder of obtaining event tickets at face value” and then reselling them at a profit. He also copped to inflating mileage reimbursement claims and owing his own campaign $67,956 for claims that “in whole or in part were unsupported by adequate records.”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:25 am:
The fact that he had a staff photographer is almost criminal in itself.
- Stones - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:33 am:
Much in the same vein as Blago and George Ryan, failing to take responsibility for his own actions. He should be thankful for his deal and fade away.
- SueH - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:35 am:
He was on Morning Joe before 7 this morning. Probably walked across the street for Fox and Friends. Sounds vindicated and will consult with former colleagues to fix the justice system.
I do not think he learned anything.
- PJ - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:35 am:
A corrupt elected official blasting law enforcement for daring to enforce the law? I wonder where Shock could possibly have acquired this strategy.
- Montrose - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:38 am:
The guy has been arrogant from day one. His posture now is consistent with how he has always operated.
- SSL - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:42 am:
Shady dealer that thinks he is above the law and the rules don’t apply to him. He did wrong and complains about the prosecutor. Tax evasion is no small matter.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:47 am:
A hardened criminal.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:48 am:
It is fun to see all the indignation around here. Wonder if we will ever be able to pin down GovJunk on his role in this little episode?
That is the real missing link
- JS Mill - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:50 am:
=“he had a regular practice as a public officeholder of obtaining event tickets at face value” and then reselling them at a profit. He also copped to inflating mileage reimbursement claims and owing his own campaign $67,956 for claims that “in whole or in part were unsupported by adequate records.”=
He used his position of power to to profit. One of the bigger sins a public servant can commit.
Shock has a poor prosecutor to thank for his freedom nit innocence.
- vole - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:53 am:
Schock was one of the GOP’s star schlockers for campaign dollars. It was likely in this money man role that Schock got into such money problems. Aaron needs to work on reforms in campaign funding that lead to his downfall.
And Aaron, the debt warrior, how is that working out in D.C. now?
- cannon649 - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:54 am:
Yes the deep state - privileges that are just not legal
How many years did it take to bring this guy to justice?
- hot chocolate - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:57 am:
Uh Aaron, but, you did it right? 100k in stolen mileage and ticket profits? Only a Congressman could skate by blaming sloppy bookkeeping. If you were such a rising star why not have hired folks to CYA on issues of paperwork. Would have cost you a lot less…but then again, remember the point WAS to get away with it. He got there one way or the other.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:57 am:
Some of the coverage and commentary this morning, especially in the Trib was frustrating. The tone of it seemed to be that what happened here is some great mystery and that Jesse Jr. was treated unfairly by comparison. As Rich’s post yesterday demonstrated, the information on what happened is out there. The prosecution screwed up, committed violations and didn’t have enough admissible evidence left to get a conviction. Is Schock pretty darn lucky based on appearances? Yeah, but this isn’t some shady backroom deal. This is other DOJ lawyers owning up to a botched case.
- Responsa - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 10:58 am:
The reselling of high end sports tickets is quite interesting. Whether they were initially comped, or just made available to pols when few could get them, somehow I doubt Schock was a one-off with this or in the way he non-reported it. Maybe there will be a few amended IRS filings by others who have “seen the light”.
- Ares - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:01 am:
The mere act of lying to a Federal agency is a crime, and is a cornerstone of “while-collar” criminal prosecutions. Somebody dropped the ball, which is unusual for a US Atty office.
- NoGifts - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:05 am:
Words of wisdom
1. clean living pays off
2. Avoid “even the appearance of unethical behavior.”
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:12 am:
It would have been so much cheaper for him to have hired a straight-laced accountant and followed the rules. He destroyed himself for chump change. At least chump change compared to what he could have made playing it straight.
- TazewellTazzy - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:15 am:
Previous Fed prosecutors violated law, that’s why the DOJ reassigned case to different prosecutors. The latest Fed team did not want to take a chance on losing/having a judge throw the case out. Would hurt their conviction percentage, plus they can say that the previous Fed prosecution team were the real problem(not them).
Schock took this deal, because no Felonies were involved any more. So, no Felonies on his record. Also, it resolved the case now, so that it stopped his Defense Attorneys’ billing meters. Writing checks now to the IRS & his campaign fund would be cheaper for Schock.
- Jocko - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:18 am:
Like RNUG said yesterday, unless Aaron plans on suing the AG, this is all just hot air.
Like ticket scalping, Aaron needs to be reminded that despite not being found guilty, he’s FAR from innocent.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:20 am:
–[Director of Legal Studies at Illinois State University and former attorney Tom McClure] explains, “If you look at the agreement that was singed by everyone he acknowledges that he basically scalped tickets for over $42,000 worth of profits and that he evaded income taxes. So, he acknowledges some things that were clearly criminal acts.”–
Helps to have good lawyers and incompetent prosecutors.
But starting with the Downton Abbey/Washington Post sting, who was behind the Schock-takedown campaign to begin with?
Had to be someone close — lot of guidance to inside dope on both the campaign and office. Was it all on the “fairly junior staffer” informant?
- Rabid - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:24 am:
That close to losing his FOID
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:27 am:
Wasnt this guy some fiscal conservative?
- Downstate - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:29 am:
From Schock to JJJ - these guys are hanging around money all day long. From donors to lobbyists (but I repeat myself), nearly everyone that congressman interacts with earns a lot more money and lives a nicer lifestyle. The temptation to wear a nicer suit, vacation in a better locale has got to be tremendous.
- Colin O'Scopy - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:39 am:
=temptation to wear a nicer suit, vacation in a better locale has got to be tremendous=
If this is what motivates one to be a Member of Congress, one should find another line of work.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:41 am:
Apparently the PJ Star is still coddling Schock, as they have done his entire career (prosecutors messed up, that is another post). The first manifestation of his entitled coddled attitude was the temper tantrum after Bernie Schoenburg called him out on advocating giving nuclear weapons to Taiwan. He said the SJR was “unfair” to Republicans. Sorry, the only 2 Republicans that have any right to call the SJR unfair are Tony Libri and Tom Schafer.
- Honeybadger - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:50 am:
Just be thankful and shut up.
- Flynn's Mom - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:59 am:
I believe that Schock is what Greg Baise called Rich.
- Amalia - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
whatever you think about the criminal prosecution aspects of this matter (like did new management say, nope, this is not much to go forward,) he has to know that if he runs again the incident has much visual evidence to prove him a big goof. from the decorations to his own sartorial choices, he’s an arrogant train wreck. ever been around him at a dinner? I’m surprised he does not walk into a place where he’s giving even casual remarks to an audience and ask about his lighting.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
Schock is the worst kind of weasel. Engage in criminal conduct that screws taxpayers, feign ignorance, then claim that it was an innocent mistake, get a sweetheart deal because the prosecutors dropped the ball, then fake indignance .
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:10 pm:
- Downstate - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 11:29 am:
From Schock to JJJ - these guys are hanging around money all day long. From donors to lobbyists (but I repeat myself), nearly everyone that congressman interacts with earns a lot more money and lives a nicer lifestyle. The temptation to wear a nicer suit, vacation in a better locale has got to be tremendous.
Being around money is a temptation?
Better keep an eye on the bankers?
Lots of people work around money that they recognize is not theirs…it’s a factor of honesty.
- Brian G - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:34 pm:
The late Peoria Pundit, Billy Dennis, had done yeoman’s work detailing the many “questionable” ethical actions Aaron Schock has done since he first entered politics as a teenager. It is quite a list.
I’m thankful that Billy died several months ago because this turn of events would have killed him.
- Irishpirate - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:06 pm:
Schock should just disappear, but he won’t.
Probably trying to figure out how to monetize playing the victim on the teevee.
He’s lucky that the Supreme Court might have some issues with the judiciary enforcing internal legislative body rules.
Just take the victory and disappear.
- Bourbon Street - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 5:08 pm:
I wish he would just go to Disney World to celebrate being a free man.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 6:13 pm:
Perhaps Schock should primary Rodney Davis, who chose today to defend the honor of Nickelback on the House floor.
Some transgressions are not forgivable.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/07/this-nickelback-debate-house-floor-shows-latest-congressional-divide/?utm_term=.37fd02067f15