An Illinois congressman who resigned amid scrutiny of his lavish spending – including a Downton Abbey-style redecoration of his Capitol Hill office – has been charged in a wide-ranging federal indictment that alleges he conspired to profit personally from his government job. The 52-page indictment accuses Aaron Schock, a once-rising Republican star, of brazen efforts to make money, such as buying World Series tickets with campaign funds and reselling them at a profit. The indictment says he incurred a $140,000 mileage bill over six years, reimbursements for 150,000 more miles than his vehicles actually travelled. If Schock is ultimately convicted, he could join an already lengthy list of Illinois politicians who ended up in prison in recent years. Former US representative Jesse Jackson Jr was convicted for spending $750,000 in campaign money on fur capes, mounted elk heads, Hollywood memorabilia and other personal items.

Source: The Guardian November 11, 2016 11:05 UTC