Attorneys for Aaron Schock Ask Judge to Postpone Arraignment

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nov 16, 2016, 8:09 AM ET

Attorneys for former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock are asking a federal judge to postpone his arraignment on charges alleging he schemed to profit personally from his government job.

In a request made Tuesday to U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, Schock's lawyers say a Nov. 21 arraignment will interfere with a planned international business trip by the Peoria Republican.

Schock's attorneys ask that his arraignment be shifted to Dec. 12-15, noting federal prosecutors did not object to rescheduling the proceeding. They also say the hearing date conflicted with their schedules.

The 35-year-old Schock was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on 24 felony counts. He is accused of several crimes, including theft of government funds, fraud, making false statements and filing false tax returns.

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock indicted on 24 criminal counts

By Katherine Skiba and Todd Lighty
Chicago Tribune

NOVEMBER 10, 2016, 9:01 PM | WASHINGTON

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock loved the good life — from trips on private planes to skybox seats for Chicago Bears games to posh office furnishings. He once had a $5,000 chandelier installed in his government office where, as a rising Republican star, he supposedly conducted the people's business.

What he liked less, according to federal prosecutors, was opening his own wallet.

In a sweeping 24-count grand jury indictment handed up Thursday in Springfield, prosecutors lay out in gripping detail charges accusing Schock of using House and campaign funds to support his lavish, jet-setting lifestyle.

The alleged crimes — theft of government funds, fraud, making false statements and filing false tax returns — began soon after Schock first entered the House of Representatives in 2008 and continued after he resigned last year.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]