Aaron Schock Releases Resignation Statement After Being Accused of Spending Taxpayer Money for Personal Expenses
Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock released his resignation statement on Tuesday after being accused of spending taxpayer funds on personal expenses, Washington Post reports.
"Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31st," Schock said in the statement.
"I do this 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."
POLITICO reports that the Congressman resigned less than 12 hours after the publication raised questions about his spending nearly tens of thousands of dollars in mileage reimbursements he received for his personal car.
"I have given them my all over the last six years," Schock's statement continued. "I have traveled to all corners of the District to meet with the people I've been fortunate to be able to call my friends and neighbors. "
Reports found that the Illinois Congressman billed nearly 170,000 miles on his personal vehicle from January 2010 to July 2014. Yet, the Chevrolet Tahoe only had 80,000 miles on it when he sold it back in July 2014.
"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," Schock said in his statement about the matter.
"I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."
The 33-year-old politician did not say why he billed a reimbursement of 90,000 miles more than the car was driven but has reimbursed all the money he has received for official mileage since his election to Congress.
He also reimbursed taxpayers $1,200 after using his office account to pay for a flight on a private plane to a football game.
Schock said he hopes he did not break the law in any way. The promising young Congressman will remain in office until March 31.
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