Schock Billed Private Plane To Bears Game
U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria speaks to reporters before meetings with constituents after a week in which he faced twin scandals Friday, Feb. 6, (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press has learned that Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock billed taxpayers more than $10,000 on private flights last fall that included a trip to a Chicago Bears football game.
The flights last November don't include more than a dozen trips on donors' planes that Schock paid for out of his House office expenses or campaign funds since joining Congress in 2009.
Schock, a 33-year-old Republican representing Peoria, had been under scrutiny for using congressional funds to redecorate his Capitol Hill office in the style of the TV show "Downton Abbey.''
He personally repaid those charges last month, and his office had said it's reviewing other expenses.
The Bears trip was first reported Sunday by the Chicago Sun-Times.
A Schock spokesman on Monday referred to the congressman's earlier statements that he takes compliance with funding rules seriously and has begun a review of his expenses.
Schock has told the AP he travels frequently throughout his district to stay connected with his constituents.
UPDATE: Schock reimbursed the U.S. government for more than $1,200 in travel expenses for attending the Bears game last November, his office said late Monday.
Links
- Schock Defends Travels on Campaign Donors’ Airplanes
- AP: Congressman Schock Billed Private Planes, Concerts
- Congressman Schock Leading Delegation To South Africa
- Congressman Schock Calls for More Hearings on IRS Scandal
- Schock Decides Against Gubernatorial Race
- US Rep. Schock Raises Doubt About Immediate High Speed Rail Funding