Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock Billed Taxpayers for Private Plane to Bears Game

Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock billed taxpayers more than $10,000 on private flights last fall, according to the report

Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock billed taxpayers more than $10,000 on private flights last fall that included a trip to a Chicago Bears football game, the Associated Press reported.

The flights last November don't include more than a dozen trips on donors' planes that Schock paid for out of his House office expenses or campaign funds since joining Congress in 2009.

Schock, a 33-year-old Republican representing Peoria, had been under scrutiny for using congressional funds to redecorate his Capitol Hill office in the style of the TV show "Downton Abbey." He personally repaid those charges last month, and his office had said it's reviewing other expenses.

Reports allege Schock failed to disclose a number of gifts on a financial disclosure form in connection with a 2011 visit to London. There also have been other expensive travel and entertainment charges, including for a massage company and music concerts.

The Bears trip was first reported Sunday by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Last week, Schock reportedly brought on board Washington attorneys William McGinley and Donald McGahn, a former Federal Election Commission member. Schock also retained GOP communications experts Ron Bonjean and Brian Walsh, according to a person familiar with the changes who was not authorized to speak publicly. Politico first reported the hires last Tuesday.

A spokesman for Schock did not immediately comment Monday on the flights.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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