Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill.(Photo: Ron Johnson, AP)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., will resign after weeks of news reports about questionable spending on everything from airplane flights to his office decor.
Schock, 33, was a rising star in the GOP and one of the party's top fundraisers. His downfall began in February when
The Washington Post reported on his bold new office decoration, which his staff said was modeled after the PBS television show
Downton Abbey. The office staff told the
Post the interior designer had done the work for free.
That touched off a wave of investigations into Schock's campaign and office spending. USA TODAY discovered he had spent more than $100,000 on prior remodeling and had used private aircraft for official travel in apparent violation of House rules and federal law.
Schock's resignation was first reported by
Politico on Tuesday.
USA TODAY
Taxpayers pay thousands for Rep. Schock's renovations
USA TODAY
Rep. Schock's flights may violate House rules
Politico reported on lavish campaign expenses and questionable reimbursements for vehicle mileage; the
Chicago Sun-Times tracked improper payments for campaign events, including a Chicago Bears game.
In a statement, Schock said he was stepping down because "the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself. I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."
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