Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Live Video: Municipal bankruptcy hearing
Next Post: Old numbers
Posted in:
* CNN…
The FBI and the federal prosecutors in Illinois are investigating whether Rep. Aaron Schock broke the law in accounting for campaign expenses, according to people familiar with the matter. […]
The FBI has now begun delivering subpoenas seeking testimony before a grand jury in Springfield, Ill. […]
A U.S. law enforcement official says the investigation is at an early stage. Justice Department officials were monitoring published reports about Schock’s expense troubles and were taken by surprise when he announced his resignation, according to another U.S. law enforcement official.
So, his lawyer didn’t cut a deal before he resigned? Really bad move. He’s now a smaller target because he’s no longer in office, but he’s also a much easier target because US Attorneys have to jump through several hoops before they can indict an elected official.
* Lynn Sweet…
Federal probers based in Springfield are looking into Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), spending of taxpayer and government money and other business dealings, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. FBI agents have been delivering subpoenas and witnesses will be called before a grand jury in Springfield next month.
That Springfield US Attorney’s office is not to be trifled with. It’s become quite an impressive organization.
*** UPDATE 1 *** This is about a whole lot more than just campaign money. The AP has its alert out now…
A person familiar with the case tells The Associated Press that the Justice Department is formally investigating whether Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois, who has submitted his resignation, committed crimes with his office expenditures and business dealings.
The government is convening a federal grand jury in Springfield, Illinois, this source says, and the FBI has started issuing subpoenas to compel people close to the Republican congressman to testify. The source spoke only on grounds of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss the case.
*** UPDATE 2 *** It ain’t gonna end well…
Agents with the FBI have delivered subpoenas to aides of U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock and demanded access to his records, a source said Friday.
Press reports and the source said the subpoenas were served to Schock’s Peoria office Thursday ahead of possible testimony next month to a federal grand jury sitting in Springfield.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:40 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Live Video: Municipal bankruptcy hearing
Next Post: Old numbers
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Drip…Drip…Drip…
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:44 am
Illinois’ favorite knock-knock joke.
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Justice Department.
Justice Department, open up please.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:45 am
I’m not schocked.
(you know someone was going to go there!)
Comment by jerry 101 Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:47 am
Good thing the rules let Schock spend his political accounts’ $3.4 million on legal fees, cause those interviews with the DoJ get real spendy real quick.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:48 am
Get in the bus, you Staffers who let him down.
Climb aboard Schock’s Crew, finish him off, because why stop now?
With a 90% rate of conviction, “Private Citizen” Schock just made himself a smaller pelt, but a pelt all the same.
Resigning was a mistake. A real good lawyer can help ease a plea. It’s over now. The milage alone is going to drive Schock off a cliff and land, crash really, into a federal cell(?)
The real question Schock’s Staff, Schock’s Crew and even for Schock himself, needs to ask;
Do we want Oxford, or do we want Colorado?
The bus door is open.
Lawyer up. Don’t lie, tell it all, tell it without hesitation or facts missing. Seek immunity if possible, and know…they already know, you aren’t going to fool them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:48 am
Tell Blago he might have a new cellmate.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:48 am
I hope, for his sake, that schocks quick resignation means he will exercise his rights and defend himself, while cooperating w the feds to arrive at a plea deal. It would almost be refreshing to have a pol accept responsibility early, and not fight all the way to a jury verdict.
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:49 am
===Good thing the rules let Schock spend his political accounts’ $3.4 million on legal fees===
That’s not necessarily so. It’s kinda complicated, but there’s a chance that he won’t be able to use that cash.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:49 am
=== He’s now a smaller target because he’s no longer in office, but he’s also a much easier target because US Attorneys have to jump through several hoops before they can indict an elected official. ===
He can always say he was just joking about resigning and hold on to his seat
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:50 am
Ripping on lawyers is a fun pastime, but….
Spending money on a top-notch compliance lawyer would have stopped this all before it started. “Aaron, these mileage reimbursements don’t make sense.”
And any competent criminal lawyer would’ve said “Don’t resign until I cut the best deal I can.”
Ounce of prevention, pound of cure, etc.
Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:50 am
Schock’s $3 million-plus in campaign funds become even bigger now.
Can he use them for lawyers? I believe Crains reported he needs to get a green light from the FEC.
Will the federales go RICO on the funds, as they’ve done in the past?
The story is just beginning. The federales work on their own pace.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:54 am
Seems like this was inevitable.
Not lookin’ good.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:54 am
Well I’d be disappointed and think it unfair if they didn’t at least take a very close look at him after how the feds went after trips and Derrick smith for what appears to be similar caliber stuff.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:55 am
It is a problem for everyone if it becomes better for a investigated politician to remain in elected office, than resign. It needs to be the opposite, so that we don’t continue seeing these tainted public officials polluting governments.
It is better for public officials to leave office than it is for them to stay. We need to figure out a way to remove troubled elected officials from office without them damaging the offices they hold.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:58 am
Investigators gonna investigate.
Comment by Blago's Hare Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 9:59 am
Do prison jumpsuits come with French cuffs?
Comment by Stones Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:00 am
HGF, I think the Smith case was different. The Feds put a provocateur in with Smith to goad him until he took a bribe.
Trips and Schock, for years, have been making a series of choices on tneir own to support their rock star lifestyles.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:04 am
Willy if his staff/crew is involved in this, not saying their not of course, I wish he could take them with on the bus. Just wishful thinking.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:04 am
One of the Peoria TV stations said yesterday that the special election is going to cost each county in his district $150,000, money which most of them don’t have budgeted. One person said they might be able to get that money from Schock’s campaign funds. I don’t know if he was speculating or if that’s really possible.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:05 am
I, for one, would be pleased if they simply charge him with Felonies and allow him to plea down to a Misdemeanor if he forfeits his retirement (he would be eligible at 62) and healthcare from the government along with the provision that he never again pursue or accept any position with any government entity at any level of government.
Comment by Citizen Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:05 am
Hardly a surprise. Jesse Jackson Jr. is already in the big house for much the same thing.
Comment by too obvious Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:06 am
- Ginhouse Tommy -,
If it gets to indictments, if it gets to trial dates, they all lose.
If it gets that far for any/all of them, pleas may mean the difference between Colorado or Oxford.
If…it gets that far. For all of them.
If any were confused if this was real, it’s real now. Very real.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:11 am
When a public official resigns from office, we don’t penalize them for the costs of replacing them. We don’t expect a public official’s family to cough up money in times when a public official resigns due to ill health or dies.
Thinking that Schock’s campaign funds could be tapped to pay for his replacement’s election presupposes guilt and a need to be fined.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:11 am
Everyone who gets a subpoena has to lawyer up. Just has to, whether they know anything or not. Even an innocent slip of the tongue with the Feds can bring a world of hurt.
Schock is going to cost his peeps a lot of money.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:15 am
Rare disagreement with my compadre, Willy.
This is all Aaron’s doing — good or bad. Aaron did not surround himself with anyone who would disagree. It simply wasn’t tolerated. He has always forged his own way, and there are numerous instances of him not paying attention to inconvenient rules and details along the way (going back to a notary scandal that came up during a lawsuit against his parents.)
Good politicians and elected officials have trusted people who can tell them painful truths and rein in excessive behavior. Aaron, Lee Daniels, and Dan Rutherford never allowed that.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:16 am
Recently sat on a fed jury in Springfield over IDPH grant corruption. The US Attorney staff are better than just good, they dot their i’s 5 or 6 times, and have unflappable experts!
Comment by Long time listener Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:17 am
Why does everyone seem to think Schock was misinformed by stepping down from office? He has competent legal counsel prior to stepping down. Further, the Congressional ethics investigators have no jurisdiction over him since he stepped down. I’m not aware of any instance of the G agreeing to not bring legal charges in exchange for a politician stepping down from office.
Comment by Patriot Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:18 am
Once it reaches this point, critical mass, it’s pretty much guaranteed at least one person is going to prison, right?
I had assumed he resigned to try to stop the bleeding and protect his donors. I don’t think that worked. He may try to fall on the sword, but the Feds will keep digging.
This is going to get ugly, and fast.
Comment by Illini97 Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:23 am
It never ceases to amaze. A safe seat in Congress is about the sweetest gig in the world.
No real responsibilities or accountability, work as much or as little as you want, big staff, pick your issues, travel the world on the taxpayer dime, enjoy an unbelievable goodie bag of legal freebies and perks….
To risk all that and your freedom for a few dollars more — it boggles the mind.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:24 am
===for a few dollars more===
Yeah. And it’s not like he was broke, either.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:27 am
===I’m not aware of any instance of the G agreeing to not bring legal charges in exchange for a politician stepping down from office.===
Then you must be new to Illinois.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:28 am
OW I am confused (it comes easy to me)…First you blame his staffers for his actions or not controlling him. Now you tell them all to help prosecutors do what they do…. Seems conflicted to me. Not trying to pick a fight here BTW.
Comment by flea Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:29 am
Willy, Oxford isn’t as plush as it was in the Rosty days. A lot of the environment depends upon the most current guests. Several drug/gang members have taken up residence at Oxford, making it no longer the choice among better heeled white collar types. The minimum side of Marion might provide less sleepless accommodations.
The amount of time in a sentence has a lot to do with this too. Blago’s preference of CO had nothing to do with geography and everything to do with safety for a guy sentenced to that much time. There is a small, but vital industry of consultants who help (for a fee of course) convicted white collar folks identify places where their safety and other considerations (programs, etc) can be taken into account. They also help to convince sentencing judges that those choices are the best for the new inmate and the system. Most will tell you these services are worth the fees.
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:34 am
@Flea,
When he was in office, his staff should have been looking out for him, clearly they were not. Either they were complacent, or he disregarded their attempts to keep him out of harm.
Now that he’s been indicted, the Federal Bus has limited seating. It’s best to get on the bus first, and get in front of the problem early. The Feds don’t ask questions they don’t know the answer to, and you better be truthful.
Easier to cut a deal when you are a ‘helper’.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:34 am
The Feds have all the cards.
They blithely expand the definition of phone calls into “wire fraud” (which was originally financial fraud via tickertape machines). Discussions and meetings can be expanded into complex “RICO” charges. Once they got a few little bits, they can make it into a very big deal. Only smart Federal judges or solid plea negotiators, can limit their volcanic eruptions.
Comment by walker Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:35 am
=== Wordslinger - Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:15 am:
Everyone who gets a subpoena has to lawyer up. Just has to, whether they know anything or not. Even an innocent slip of the tongue with the Feds can bring a world of hurt.
Schock is going to cost his peeps a lot of money.===
Rosty, through his campaign fund (at a mere $900K or so at the time) covered his staff’s legal fees. Schock should provide the same assistance.
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:38 am
- LincolnLounger -,
It all good, likewise, much respect.
Here is why they let him down, just like in the instances Yiu cited where Staff and Crew really dropped the ball;
Personal responsibility. Professional responsibility.
If they can’t see trying to keep your boss from trouble, that’s on them.
If they can’t see saying truth is more important than the gravy train, that’s on them too.
If you’re telling me, with respect, that no one felt the need to be a contrarian for all their good, a big chunk is on Staff/Crew too, no matter how it’s taken.
I respect Staff, I admire a Crew that does their job and their boss respects them for it. Huge fan of both that do it well…
Just saying Aaron, or Dan, or Lee are responsible for the ethics and consciouses of adult professionals under the guise that they weren’t tolerated to have ethics or a conscious lets both Staff and Crew off way too easy.
Much respect, as always.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:38 am
“Rosty, through his campaign fund (at a mere $900K or so at the time) covered his staff’s legal fees. Schock should provide the same assistance.”
That was under the old “Wild West” campaign finance rules.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:41 am
No matter what the budget ever looks like (supporting Walk’s very correct statements), when your in the Feds arena, there’s only one side that will never run out of money pursuing the case.
The earlier the resolution the better for a lot of reasons. They have the time and resources to get to whatever version of the truth they require for the “W”
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:41 am
Thompson federal prison opens soon vist Illinois .
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:41 am
Isn’t he still a Congressman for 11 more days? I thought the resignation was effective March 31. Maybe there are negotiations going on.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:43 am
(Tips cap to - How Ironic -. Couldnt said it better myself)
- A Guy -, it’s a metaphor. “Easy timev. Hard time”
I’m waxing poetic, not writing scripts for MSNBC “Behind Bars, The Ugly Truth”, lol.
Oxford was always code for “College”
“He’s going to ‘college’ for 15 months”
The things you decide to take literal..,
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:43 am
===That was under the old “Wild West” campaign finance rules.
– MrJM===
Seriously asking…this is no longer allowable?
If that’s the case, the Feds enjoy yet another huge advantage. The singin’ will start at jump street.
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:45 am
OW, I’ve agreed with everything you’ve said today. The notion there was not a single element of adult supervision in that outfit is astounding. The Oxford “aside” may be helpful to you or others. But alas, not.
Literally…”this whole thing is very sad”
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:47 am
Has he surrendered his passport? It seems like he’s spent quite some time scouting potential locations to hide. #elfugitivo
Comment by Namaste Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:54 am
he is probably upset now that he voted to remove all of those exercise facilities from federal prisons.
Comment by HL Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 10:56 am
Guy, there are comments in the thread as to whether or not Schock can tap his campaign funds for legal fees. It ain’t a sure thing.
Furthermore, if I were a Schock staffer who received a subpoena, the last thing I’d want is Schock picking up my legal fees.
Lawyers work for who pay them. I’d want my lawyer working for me. I doubt my interests would coincide with those of Schock.
Plus, once the federales found out Schock was bankrolling your lawyer, if you didn’t have a target on your back, you do now. Your credibility is way suspect.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:00 am
Schock was incredibly naive to believe he could solve this mess by paying back what he misappropriated. But, then, how could anyone mistake his actions for intelligence?
Why didn’t he lawyer up from day one of this mess?
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:04 am
This is Illinois, where the political leaders are greedy and cannot have enough. We now know what enabled his glamorous lifestyle. It was fueled by fraudulent office expenses. As Wordslinger said, a six figure salary in a safe district was not good enough.
Comment by Muscular Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:05 am
Those he did “business” with ought to be very worried. Once the digging starts it can branch out and snowball. Going to be great ” jog creator” for the legal community.
Comment by x ace Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:11 am
All of this speculation about when he should have lawyered up and whether stepping down takes a target off his back is wasted breath.
The guy’s fate was sealed when he made the willful decision (okay allegedly) to betray the public trust by stealing taxpayer money to fund his own jet set lifestyle. When you do that you’re stealing from widows and orphans in a real sense.
It’s not a sad day when a corrupt politician is brought down. It’s a happy day.
Comment by too obvious Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:14 am
Sling, per usual, the collateral damage in all of this may be the most heart breaking and devastating damage of all. Lawyers of the skill level these folks will need won’t work for Katy Perry ticket stubs.
Your point well taken. It’s already sad and ugly.
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:14 am
good. the professionals will take care of this. now let’s get someone else to represent the district to engage in meaningful policy dialogue!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:14 am
Does Schock possibly have problems with IRS as well? Did he declare the extra auto expense money he received as income and pay federal (& state ) income taxes on it?
Comment by Yossarian Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:16 am
I thought that he only announced his resignation, but that it didn’t go into effect until the end of the month. Doesn’t that make him still an elected official? And couldn’t he change that date if his counsel advised him it would be to his advantage to “stay in office” and keep the additional legal protection until a deal is reached?
Comment by Doofman Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:16 am
There’s lots of investigatin’ to be done here yet. Finance reports to be examined, travel reimbursements cross referenced with Facebook pages, tax returns, real estate deals with donors, their tax returns, ect, ect… Picking out which federal facility the congress critter spends some quality time at this point is premature.
My advice to Mr. Schock is to spend from now until the 31st amending as many financial reports as you can.
Comment by Leave a Light on George Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:18 am
John Boehner was like “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” when he spoke about this publicly. I doubt Schock can un-resign.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:21 am
===My advice to Mr. Schock is to spend from now until the 31st amending as many financial reports as you can.===
You’re trying to be helpful???
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:21 am
Fun Fact: Aaron Schock isn’t the first Illinois Congressman to fudge his mileage: http://www.propublica.org/nerds/item/antebellum-data-journalism-busted-abe-lincoln
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:21 am
– let’s get someone else to represent the district and engage in meaningful policy dialogue–
Amalia, you know it’s the U.S. House, right?
Don’t want you to get your hopes up.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:24 am
I suspect this was an inside job, inside the conservative establishment. This could get very interesting if Schock feels it’s payback time.
Comment by cdog Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:25 am
I’m not sure whether the feds would have even cared when he resigned…the early resignation maybe just forced them to publicly show they were doing something, hence the subpoenas.
Wouldn’t the deal be more based on whether he gave someone up or decided not to fight in court? Not sure he’d really be able to give the feds anyone they care about, but I imagine they’d rather not want to engage in a multi-year white collar crime over campaign finance laws.
Comment by COPN Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:25 am
You have to wonder what was going on in that office to make Carol Merna resign as District Chief of Staff in 2014. She spent her whole career in that office, starting under Michel in 1988. And no, she didn’t retire.
Comment by ditchlily Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:35 am
How Ironic writes “now that he has been indicted….” Did I miss something?
Comment by anon Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:36 am
Two words you want to avoid in news coverage if you are an elected official and don’t want to be targeted by the Feds:
Red
Bullseye
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:36 am
John Boehner’s little speech yesterday seemed awfully smug to me. He must have had advance word of this investigation and is distancing himself from Schock. But Schock apparently was okay to most when he was a productive GOP fund raiser.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:43 am
Reserving judgment until I see what the charges are.
The most obvious and easy-to-bust-him for charge at the present would appear to me, perjury … He just didn’t notice, he was overbilling the feds by tens of thousands of miles? It was right there on his odometer. I’m assuming he signed and swore to the accuracy of those reimbursement forms.
If he converted any of that 50 grand or so to personal use, then that’s a second crime, but that could be hard to prove. He might have gone on to spend it on more desks for his office (sketchy but not personal use).
But the one I really wonder about is that house resale … You got to think the feds are looking hard into that one. If they can convincingly demonstrate a quid pro quo took place there, Schock could be going away for a while.
Comment by ZC Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:44 am
Though as a quick follow up, if he overbilled by 50 grand and even if it then went to official functions, I imagine that’s some sort of misuse of taxpayer funds too.
Comment by ZC Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:46 am
=== If they can convincingly demonstrate a quid pro quo took place there===
I’m hearing that they are looking at that real estate deal, but it may not be quid pro quo. Could be something much darker. Not sure.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:48 am
I think the key words here are “business dealings.” The travel reimbursement issues could just be the tip of the iceberg and the Feds likely have their sights aimed much higher. We can only speculate what more was going to drip out if Schock hadn’t resigned when he did.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 11:57 am
“You’re trying to be helpful???”
Not really. But it would likely be the most productive two weeks he’s ever spent in congress.
Comment by Leave a Light on George Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:03 pm
“I agree to plead guilty in exchange for using my campaign fund to decorate my cell.”
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Rich Miller
=== If they can convincingly demonstrate a quid pro quo took place there===
I’m hearing that they are looking at that real estate deal, but it may not be quid pro quo. Could be something much darker. Not sure.
“much darker”?! how much darker is there?
Comment by roads scholar Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:13 pm
==This could get very interesting if Schock feels it’s payback time. ==
Meh. I assume that it’s difficult for pols to save themselves by snitching on each other.
If it was easy, Blagojevich would have done it.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Reserving judgement but……the information in this case was phenomenal, it had details that only an insider would know, specific details of the business deals, names of those involved, all to specific. My questions:
Who benefits the most from Shock being forced out?
Anyone not working for shock any longer that provided details?
This started as an inside job then went viral with others tagging on to benefit their own interests.
Comment by Charles Wilkins Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:16 pm
I didn’t think anybody could come close to Blago as far as corruption went but now as more comes out I’m beginning to wonder. This must be bad because the GOP usually hold ranks and don’t rat on another member. God, what a mess.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:20 pm
@Anon:
“How Ironic writes “now that he has been indicted….” Did I miss something?”
No, I was a bit overzealous. It should have read, now that the government is convening a federal grand jury.
My apologies. That mistake notwithstanding…it’s time to get on the bus. You sure don’t want to be waving to those on the bus if you’re late to arrive.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:22 pm
===“much darker”?! how much darker is there?===
Maybe Schock misheard his favorite TSwift song:
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake ‘em down, I shake ‘em down
Comment by Southwest Cook Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:24 pm
OW — Did you notice Ditch Lily’s comment? Makes a good point about what staff is able to do. When you have a principal who refuses to listen to wise advice, there’s not much you can do other than resign.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:24 pm
You give the US Attorney in Springfield way too much credit. Other than a couple of recent cases, they have not been a threat to political corruption.
Comment by Insider Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:27 pm
“You know, sometimes we’re not prepared for adversity. When it happens sometimes, we’re caught short. We don’t know exactly how to handle it when it comes up. Sometimes, we don’t know just what to do when adversity takes over. And I have advice for all of us, I got it from my pianist Joe Zawinul who wrote this tune. And it sounds like what you’re supposed to say when you have that kind of problem. It’s called Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.”
Cannonball Adderley
Comment by Bigtwich Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:33 pm
- Soccermom -,
I read it. I get it, I do. I really do.
You are Spot On as well, highlighting it and adding to it too.
I was told this once, about 1,000 years ago;
“Resign if you feel you need to, because of things you don’t approve of, and no one seems to care; Being out of work is always better than being in a cell.”
If they don’t “listen” that’s one thing.
If they are to ignorant, or worse, complicit, it another thing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:35 pm
==I’m hearing that they are looking at that real estate deal, but it may not be quid pro quo. Could be something much darker. Not sure.==
Much darker? Yikes, this is going to be front page for quite some time, isn’t it?
Comment by Illini97 Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:36 pm
“Could be something much darker”
Yes, what is “darker”? Like, violent crime? Or, like, messier secrets? Or, like, laundering money for ISIS?
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:39 pm
(Oh my God, Stacey Peterson’s not buried there, is she? They were looking for her body in that part of the county in 2010. That would be SUPER dark.)
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 12:53 pm
This just in, over the next two weeks, Schock will be seeking bids on how to make his new “office” look like the set of Shawshank Redemption, one of his favorite prison dramas, so Im told.
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Is it too late for him to endorse la hood?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Unes backs out…
“As I said on Tuesday, I wanted to give this the careful consideration it deserves in consultation with my family. After careful consideration and, even with the love, support, and encouragement of my wife and kids, I will not be entering my name for consideration in this special election.”
Comment by anonin' Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:22 pm
I think there is something a lot more damaging waiting to come out as well. He bailed out of there like a man on fire. Didn’t even tell his staff? Sounds like one of those, “we’ve got a photo of you showing more than your abs”, doesn’t it?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:31 pm
===No, I was a bit overzealous. It should have read, now that the government is convening a federal grand jury.===
Not entirely accurate, either. The grand jury meets monthly, so they’re not going to meet next month *just* to talk about Schock…but I’m sure that will be on the agenda now.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Vman, I don’t think this is a dirty pictures situation. This sounds like a real problem.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Is spending years around burly men who lift weights really punishment for him?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:49 pm
I hope they throw the book at him.
Comment by Mouthy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Soccermom, I agree. For the social media posting set, an embarrassing pic is bad but survivable. Whatever skeletons are preparing to exit that closet must be pretty darn scary.
Comment by Illini97 Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Saving himself is one motivation he might have to talk. However, if he feels wronged by the establishment, retribution or revenge could be radioactive.
Comment by cdog Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:54 pm
VMan, don’t work blue. You’ve got too much talent, like a young Frank Gorshin.
It’s all about the money now. Schock wishes it was about the prurient stuff.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 1:54 pm
==I suspect this was an inside job, inside the conservative establishment.==
You’re either naive or haven’t been paying attention.
It’s the Gay Mafia that’s really spiking the football this week. Honestly I give them credit for staying like a laser on a public official they saw as a hypocrite. They made some good points.
Comment by too obvious Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 2:07 pm
If you put a gun to my head, I’d agree with too obvious.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 2:16 pm
- too obvious -,
I’m not going to refute your very astute and candid observation.
If made/forced to choose on the evidence, it keeps circling back to your observation.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 2:28 pm
Rich: you’ve got credibility that enhances your speculations, I don’t.
Comment by walker Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Too Obvious, Rich, & OW, Is this orchestrated take down of Schock over now that he has resigned on will there be more drip, drip, drip by the so-called Mafia? Or will they just let the Feds handle it now?
Comment by Yossarian Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 3:56 pm
- Yossarian -,
A person can only resign once. That aspect of the takedown has been accomplished.
I know very few people who want to impede a federal, criminal, investigation to prove a point, once the target has been neutralized.
No, not very few, I know of noe one who would continue…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:09 pm
Thanks for your insight OW.
Comment by Yossarian Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:13 pm
===I know of noe one who would continue===
I’m assuming the oppo books - and I think there was more than one - have been or will eventually be sent to or otherwise obtained by the G.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:15 pm
===I’m assuming the oppo books - and I think there was more than one - have been or will eventually be sent to or otherwise obtained by the G.===
That’s the “other shoe” that usually follows; but a group continuing, nope. Never impede a federal, criminal investigation, but always, and completely, cooperate if asked to, or told to.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:24 pm
To be clear, I agree with Rich, 100%, just amplifying my own thought. Nothing more.
All good, - Yossarian -, have a good weekend.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:39 pm
To the Update,
It appears they want this rolling, fast.
It also appears they know what they want, and…
===…ahead of possible testimony next month to a federal grand jury sitting in Springfield.===
The timetable to get it.
Wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:44 pm
“You can kiss the baby”
Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Rich & OW, various journalists might already have access to oppo books. Freedom of the press and possible continuing stories as the Feds go forward with their investigation. Time will tell.
Comment by Yossarian Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 4:50 pm
If you have to edit this Rich go ahead…
Not to go really dark here but i find it suspicious that he didn’t only not tell his staff but he never told his own FAMILY that he was resigning.
So the odd thing is…and not that Schock would do this…what if in April we remember Lincoln’s funeral but then we have to report another funeral.
I’m trying not to be blunt and go worst case scenario with my point but i have a fellow political nut who i’m friends with who REALLY supports Schock (probably to death) and it would kill them if something happened to Schock
Comment by South Of I-80 Friday, Mar 20, 15 @ 5:52 pm