Disgraced anti-gay former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock (R) will be arraigned in federal court on Monday. Schock has been implicated by the federal government in a far-reaching corruption investigation that centers on Schock's alleged misuse of government funds.
Schock's troubles first began when it was revealed that he had unlawfully accepted design services for free so that his congressional office could be styled in the manner of Downton Abbey.
Schock faces 24 felony counts.
The Peoria Journal Star reports:
The Peoria Republican was indicted last month by a federal grand jury which spent 18 months looking at his financial dealings. He's expected to plead not guilty at the 3:30 p.m. hearing, which will likely result in U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough setting his trial for sometime next spring.
PREVIOUSLY: Anti-Gay Former GOP Rep. Aaron Schock Whines About Being ‘Poked, Prodded, and Probed' – WATCH
More from The Chicago Tribune:
The charges include wire fraud, mail fraud, theft of government funds, making false statements, filing false reports with federal election officials and filing false tax returns.
Usually, defendants waive their right to have the indictment read aloud in court — and Schock's indictment runs 52 pages. Schock will be asked to enter a plea on Monday. Based on his oft-stated insistence that he is innocent, a “not guilty” plea is a good bet.
[Judge] Myerscough [who is presiding over the case] is a former Illinois appellate judge who considered running as a Democrat for the seat in Congress that Schock eventually won in 2008. President Barack Obama nominated her to the federal bench in 2010.
Myerscough on Friday denied the goverment's request for a gag order in Schock's criminal proceedings. Via Politico:
“The Government has not made the requisite showing here,” Myerscough wrote in an order issued late Friday afternoon. “While this is a high-profile case that has and will generate a significant amount of publicity, the Court has no reason to believe at this point that the parties' conduct poses a serious and imminent threat to the administration of justice.”
UPDATE. Schock pleaded not guilty.
"Not guilty." Says Aaron Schock on the charges against him. Said even toned and firmly. #ilpol #schock
— Eric Feldman (@EricSFeldman) December 12, 2016
