Republican Rep. Schock resigning amid ethics questions

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock abruptly announced his resignation on Tuesday, after facing questions for weeks concerning his lavish spending from government and campaign accounts.

 

In a statement that took congressional leaders by surprise, the congressman said he would resign, effective March 31, "with a heavy heart."

 

"Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. ... But 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," he said.

 

Schock has faced mounting accusations of using taxpayer dollars for personal expenses and claiming questionable reimbursements.

 

He started facing scrutiny after it came to light that he had decorated his office in the theme of the PBS program "Downton Abbey." A public watchdog group later filed a federal ethics complaint against him for using congressional money to redesign that office -- and for billing taxpayers or his campaigns tens of thousands of dollars in private air travel on donor-owned planes.

 

On Monday, the Associated Press confirmed that the Office of Congressional Ethics had reached out to Schock's associates as it apparently began an investigation. The office is an outside panel that reviews ethics complaints against House members and makes recommendations to the House Ethics Committee.

 

Fox News is told by multiple sources that Schock did not notify Republican congressional leaders before making his announcement on Tuesday.

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No more free ride?