Aaron Schock’s troubles mount: GOP congressman didn’t report gifts and meals in London

[DonViejo]

Embattled congressman failed to disclose thousands in gifts and payments, violating House ethics rules

LUKE BRINKER

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Instagram) revels in media attention. And in recent weeks, the Illinoisan has been receiving an abundance of press — but he’s rapidly finding out that, contra Mae West, there is such a thing as bad publicity.

After the Washington Post’s Ben Terris published a cheeky story earlier this month on the flamboyant congressman’s Downton Abbey-themed office, Schock came under scrutiny for his use of taxpayer funds to decorate the office, and a string of unflattering revelations followed. Schock had sold his home to a donor for an above-market price; his chief aide had authored Facebook posts referring to black people as zoo animals; and, the Associated Press reported this week, Schock has spent tens of thousands in taxpayer and campaign funds on private flights, Katy Perry concerts, and other perks.

The congressman’s mess got deeper on Thursday, as Politico revealed that Schock accepted lavish gifts and meals in London and hosted a $125,000 golf course fundraiser, without reporting the gifts and payments on his financial disclosure and campaign finance forms, as required.

In June 2011, Schock and longtime friend Shea Ledford attended several posh meals hosted by the Prince of Wales Foundation, including one dinner at which Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were present. A spokeswoman for the foundation told Politico that Schock was “a guest of a guest of the Prince of Wales, so he has no involvement with the foundation and therefore wasn’t in any way, shape or form involved other than attending a dinner as a guest of a guest.”

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http://www.salon.com/2015/02/27/aaron_schocks_troubles_mount_gop_congressman_didnt_report_gifts_and_meals_in_london/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Rep. Aaron Schock's wide travels raise questions

Rep. Aaron Schock's wide travels raise questions

By Katherine Skiba and Gregory Pratt
Chicago Tribune
contact the reporters

February 27, 2015, 10:50 PM|PEORIA, Ill.

Rep. Aaron Schock lives large and loudly on Instagram, where he broadcasts his exploits from the Greek Isles to the glaciers of Patagonia. He's shown surf boarding in Hawaii, doing the tango in Buenos Aires and parasailing in the Andes..

The 33-year-old Republican from Peoria has visited at least nine foreign countries since the start of 2014, sometimes on government business and sometimes for pleasure, a Tribune review found. Last year, he took in three national music awards programs, hitting gala performances in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Nashville.

Schock's penchant for travel has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, ever since the Washington Post described his "Downton Abbey" redesign of his congressional office. Last week, Schock repaid $40,000 from his personal checking account for the redecorating work, The Associated Press reported.

The lawmaker still faces allegations that he did not properly account for his trips and did not conform to requirements on the use of private aircraft, potentially threatening the once-steady climb of the first member of Congress to be born in the 1980s.

Katherine Coyle, chair of the Peoria County Republican Party, said in an interview Friday that Schock is being unfairly criticized by reporters who are "confusing personal vacation with public duties."

More:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/ct-aaron-schock-instagram-travel-met-2-20150227-story.html