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* The feds totally botched this from the very beginning…
Former 18th District Congressman Aaron Schock was officially cleared of federal criminal charges alleging he used his campaign funds for private finances. Completing what is known as a deferred prosecution deal, federal prosecutors in Chicago dropped all charges against the former Peoria-based congressman after he completed a probationary period where he stayed out of trouble and paid back nearly $68,000 to his campaign funds that he used for personal expenses. Schock has also worked out a plan with the Internal Revenue Service to pay back taxes.
* Tribune…
After he resigned in 2015 amid a federal investigation, Schock was hit with a sweeping criminal indictment in Springfield alleging he used his government and campaign funds to pay for personal luxuries, including private jets, skybox tickets at Soldier Field, and paying for travel to get a haircut.
Schock denied the allegations and his legal team accused the lead prosecutor in Springfield of pursuing the high-profile case to advance his own career.
In a stroke of luck, the case was transferred last year to Chicago because the judge overseeing the matter was accused of having improper contact with the prosecutors’ office in an unrelated case.
In announcing the deferred prosecution deal in March, the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago said it had taken a fresh look at the charges and decided it would be a “fair and just” outcome, especially given that Schock has no criminal record and resigned from public office.
* Sun-Times…
That deal reached in March required Schock to repay $67,956 to his campaign committees and also pay outstanding taxes due from the years 2010 through 2015.
He also admitted, on the record, that he sought reimbursement for mileage without documentation that led to reimbursements “that exceeded the number of miles actually driven” and that he took tickets he’d landed at face value, for events like the World Series and the Super Bowl, and resold them for a profit. […]
The agreement and subsequent dismissal of charges marks a rare and stunning victory for Schock. Although he admitted to the above accusations, Schock did not plead guilty to any criminal offenses.
“There’s a difference between mistakes and crimes,” Schock said in March after the agreement was approved.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 1:52 pm
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Schock showed… the Feds are only hitting 99% of these cases.
He’s the exception to the rule.
What a crazy case from jump street.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 1:55 pm
He got off “Shock” free
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:04 pm
Of course he’s innocent, he was an up and coming GOP star that had to be taken down.
Comment by DD Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:04 pm
== In a stroke of luck, the case was transferred last year to Chicago ==
The new prosecutor had a much different perspective than the original one.This shows how arbitrary prosecutions can be when one DA sees a bunch of felonies and another, looking at the same evidence, sees none.
Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:04 pm
poor performance by the US Attorney’s Office.
Comment by GOP Truth Squad Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:05 pm
Schock should consider himself very fortunate to not have to face prosecution. Still, what a waste of an promising political career.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:06 pm
It’s hypocrite bashing jim.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:07 pm
Okay, good. Can we get rid of Lahood now?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:07 pm
WHO were these prosecutors? The children / nieces & nephews of the prosecutors who botched the MSI prosecution of Jim Berger?
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:09 pm
What I fear is that Schock will see this as “total vindication” instead of what it is: he dodged a bullet.
I also suspect he will play the victim card with no introspection on how he conducted himself when he thought no one was watching.
Arrogance and flamboyance derailed what should have been a storied career in politics and public service.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:10 pm
=he was an up and coming GOP star that had to be taken down.=
By Bruce Rauner.
=Arrogance and flamboyance derailed what should have been a storied career in politics and public service.=
Meh….he tried to live large on the taxpayer and campaign donors.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:16 pm
sorry 47, that explanation didn’t fly.
Irony is you got us both excised from CF
Comment by jim Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:28 pm
Why is nobody upset he took down Downton Abbey with him?
Looks like everyone got a little mud on ‘em.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:33 pm
Schock was a crook that got caught by really really bad prosecutors. Please don’t pretend this was some vast left wing conspiracy to take him down. He got the scrutiny originally because he was a threat to Bruce Rauner. So spare us. Please.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:34 pm
This was a classic takedown, the extent of which hopefully will be revealed soon. Somebody will write a book, or a movie. Yeah, he was aggressive and young, but man, what some of those others have done…
Comment by biggerfish Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:49 pm
Funny how the DOJ is only competent while prosecuting Democrats in Illinois..
Comment by DrurysMissingClock Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:54 pm
===Funny how the DOJ is only competent while prosecuting Democrats in Illinois..===
“I dunno about that”
- Scott Fawell
- Rich Juliano
- Geo. H. Ryan
Should I go on who else could say that… or…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:56 pm
How about…
- Mike Tristano
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 2:58 pm
What did Jesse Jackson Jr go down for? Wasn’t it the same thing? Serious question. Didn’t he use campaign and taxpayer dollars for the same thing and go to prison?
Comment by Sideline Watcher Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:00 pm
Oswego Willy -
Tristano? The original target in that case was Lee Daniels … .
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:11 pm
===The original target in that case was Lee Daniels ===
They had alotta buffers.
Tristano plead guilty. It was a Federal case.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:13 pm
===The original target in that case===
Whatevs. They almost bungled the Blagojevich case.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:18 pm
Being forced to pay tens of thousands as part of a deal with the prosecutors doesn’t sound like “cleared” to me.
Comment by Semantics Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:20 pm
=Being forced to pay tens of thousands as part of a deal with the prosecutors doesn’t sound like “cleared” to me.=
Tell that to Jussie Smollet.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 3:32 pm
Rich -
I was “discussing” the Springfield Office - were they involved in the Blago case?
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 4:29 pm
===were they involved in the Blago case? ===
They turned a blind eye.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 4:34 pm
“What did Jesse Jackson Jr go down for? Wasn’t it the same thing?”
Yes.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/two-congressmen-similar-charges-very-different-outcomes
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 4:40 pm
===Yes. ===
The feds didn’t convince one of Jackson’s DC office staffers to take stuff from Jackson’s office and give it to them.
Big difference there.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 4:49 pm
I would also add that as part of the Blagojevich case, Bill Cellini, one of the bigger Republican power brokers, also got taken down.
Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 6:04 pm
I can only think that after what we have seen as of late from the Dems that this is yet another example of more dirty politics.
Comment by Redside Thursday, Sep 5, 19 @ 9:30 am
===I can only think that after what we have seen as of late from the Dems that this is yet another example of more dirty politics.===
The Dems didn’t take out Schock. It was in inside job, with the intent to take out a possible GOP rival.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 5, 19 @ 9:33 am