Aaron Schock, $100K Fraud Scheme, IL 2024

Former U.S. Representative Aaron Schock, 35, of Peoria, Illinois, has been indicted on 24 federal counts including fraud, theft of government funds, making false statements, and filing false income tax returns. A federal grand jury in Springfield returned the indictment today, alleging Schock ran a years-long scheme to siphon money from his congressional office and campaign committees for personal gain.

According to the indictment, from as early as 2008 through at least October 2015, Schock submitted fraudulent claims, invoices, and vouchers to the U.S. House of Representatives and his campaign committees—Schock for Congress (SFC), Schock Victory Committee (SVC), and GOP Generation Y Fund (Gen Y). These false submissions resulted in more than $100,000 in losses to government and campaign funds, all while Schock lined his own pockets.

One of the most brazen schemes involved mileage reimbursements. Between 2008 and October 2014, Schock received approximately $138,663 in mileage payments for official and campaign travel. Prosecutors allege he claimed roughly 150,000 more miles than his vehicles were actually driven—racking up reimbursements for trips that never happened.

In July 2014, Schock orchestrated the purchase of a new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe at a cost of $73,896, paid entirely by Schock for Congress. He arranged for his old 2010 Tahoe to be purchased by SFC for $31,621, then traded in for a $26,000 allowance. The vehicle was titled in his name, and Schock made no effort to reimburse the committee. To cover it up, SFC filed a false report with the Federal Election Commission claiming the $73,896 was a legitimate transportation expense.

The indictment also details a scam involving camera equipment. In September 2014, Schock bought high-end gear and had the House reimburse him $29,021. To hide the transaction, he directed a staff member—who also served as his personal photographer—to submit a fake invoice for ‘multimedia services.’ After revisions, the House paid the invoice, and the staff member used the funds to pay off Schock’s personal credit card used for the purchase.

U.S. Attorney Jim Lewis, Central District of Illinois, stated: ‘These charges allege that Mr. Schock deliberately and repeatedly violated federal law, to his personal and financial advantage.’ Schock is further charged with filing false federal income tax returns from 2010 through 2015, failing to report the illicit income. The case underscores the reach of federal accountability, even for those who once held the highest offices.