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Federal judge to decide whether Schock can freely spend campaign money

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Illinois

* The US Attorney’s office wants a heads up before indicted former Congressman Aaron Schock spends any money from his campaign account…

In a motion filed Monday, federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough to weigh in on the matter at an upcoming hearing, saying they needed to ensure “there is no further potential economic harm to an alleged victim.”

Schock, 35, of Peoria, is accused of wire fraud, mail fraud, making false statements, filing a false tax return, theft of government funds and falsification of Federal Election Commission filings. In all, it’s alleged that he stole more than $100,000 from the government and his campaign committees. At his arraignment last month, his attorneys told Myerscough there was about $400,000 left in those bank accounts.

Prosecutors say they aren’t opposed to allowing him to use that to pay for his legal bills but want Schock to give them advance notice of where the money is going and how much he is using. Schock’s attorneys say that’s inappropriate. As such, the government asked in its motion for the judge to weigh in.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Oh, I think that Schock has been spending his campaign money pretty, pretty, pretty freely for a while.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:42 am
This just in: Judge Myerscough receives a lovely fruit basket, chocolate covered strawberries, and a lovely floral arrangement from an unknown sender.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:43 am
Issuing an order that it can be used only for his defense seems reasonable. Expenditures still have to be reported. Any violations = a freeze.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:49 am
=This just in: Judge Myerscough receives a lovely fruit basket, chocolate covered strawberries, and a lovely floral arrangement from an unknown sender.=

The pheasant feather decoration was a dead give away.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:50 am
JS Mill - spot on! And the signed Maggie Smith photo was also a clue.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:56 am
Prosecutor’s request is reasonable in light of the allegations which got Schock indicted.

Comment by illinoised Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:29 am
Just write a check to his attorneys for $400,00. Problem solved.

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:39 am
Move over Blago.

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 12:34 pm
Seems like the judge is being asked to rule ‘guilty of a future crime until proven innocent’. He has no access to federal money. Which victim are the federal prosecutors protecting?

Comment by PAM Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:00 pm
Funny how any concern that he should not spend money donated to a committee, meant for other purposes, disappears if there are attorneys to be paid. No matter the issue, attorneys get theirs.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:50 pm
=Which victim are the federal prosecutors protecting?=

The campaign contributors who thought they were supporting someone who could forward their ideas of good policy. That money should go to the party or whichever campaign fund or charity was designated in Schock’s D1.

Comment by Anon and on Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:19 pm