The never-ending legal saga involving 37-year-old, totally-not-gay, former Illinois congressman Aaron Schock rages on…
The one-time GOP golden boy has been fighting to get indictments on 22 criminal corruption charges against him thrown out. The charges include filing false tax returns, mail fraud, wire fraud, submitting false reports to the FEC, false statements, and theft of government funds.
But it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon. This week, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court rejected his latest attempt at the case dismissed.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Politico reports:
Schock’s arguments for appealing the indictment centered on two main points. First, under the Speech or Debate Clause, a constitutional protection given to lawmakers and staff for legitimate legislative activities, he can’t be charged with falsifying reimbursement claims.
Secondly, in a more technical argument, Schock’s lawyers asserted that since reimbursement regulations were created by House rule, it would be a violation of separation-of-powers principles for the executive branch, via the Justice Department, to charge him with a crime. Under Schock’s approach, only the House could interpret whether he violated House rules.
Schock’s lawyers previously asked for the case to be tossed by arguing that witnesses were asked “distasteful, offensive,” and “prejudicial” questions about every part of Schock’s sex life including whether he is gay and if his girlfriend was a beard.
They accused investigators of “prosecutorial misconduct” by asking such “invasive” questions.
Schock’s problems all started when he received national attention for having his congressional offices redesigned to look like the set of Downton Abbey.
In 2015, the FBI launched an investigation into Schock’s finances where it learn the lawmaker had blown wads of cash all sorts of non-work-related things, including tickets to Ariana Grande and Katy Perry concerts and paying to have a hot, young male photographer travel with him on nearly every trip he took just to take photos for his Instagram page.
As a result of the scandal, Schock, who was a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and supporter of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA, resigned from his seat.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Related: Feds say they’re not interested in Aaron Schock’s sexuality, but he won’t stop talking about it
Rich
I’m schocked.
happiness17
It’s quite that Schock is in denial about being gay. He’s doing a bad job trying to hide his true sexuality. Schock appears to be guilty. The feds have a good case against him. Despite everything Schock’s body is beyond muscular. This guy is very hot! That being said the other inmates aren’t going to hear him preaching his denial of being gay. Schock will be a favorite play thing in prison.
Kangol
Schock and awe!
Vince
Well at least he kept enough of that stolen loot for his lawyers.
Gordon of the Bassets
Unless the lawyers are acting pro boner.
shakes_head
He follows a lot of young gay muscular white dudes on IG for a straight guy. Just saying.
Patrick
His dance card will be full at the next prison dance!
prarie pup
Don’t worry, Aarron old buddy…if they decide to send you up the river, Trump will pardon ya.
Bob Amsel
Pruitt makes Schock look like a piker. Washington’s current corruption, from the White House on down, makes this case laughable.
DCguy
He took money and sold his vote. He disenfranchised over half a million of his voters. Send him to jail.
Rob91316
He used government funds to decorate his office like the “Downtown Abbey” set and to attend Ariana Grande and Katy Perry concerts. Nope… not gay at all.
JoshGL
I hope he remembers to pre-lube before reporting to the big house.
But 20 years is no joke.
That’s not some prison camp.
thebro
Remember when he was on morning joe and mika threw obvi gay shade at him …
bigrobert22
I love your former Illinois congressman Aaron Schock . I love hem I feel he did not do one thang wrong he good men I love hem very very good men .Aaron schock I here for you I love you men I love to meet you agin some time call me 309-868-5207 my cell
Hardptyplr
How many straight men would pose for a picture like that?
jumpinjackdw
Looks like another person that Mike Madigan set up to cover up his own ass. so what if he is a closet gay that is his business do any of you have things you wouldn’t want others to find out about. let the guy alone when he gets to prison he will find someone that takes care of him
Kangol
Huh? He committed these alleged crimes while in the US Congress not the Illinois State House. I mean, did you even read the article?
DCguy
It was already exposed that he lied to receive payback on his car and a donor bought his house for something like 5 times what it should have sold for after maxing out donations to his campaign. he in turn voted to help that donor.
Nothing here is a set up. If it was, his lawyers wouldn’t be trying to argue congressional jurisdiction, they would be presenting proof he was innocent. But nice try.
lazlicious
In any other context, everyone here would be outraged that federal authorities were asking about his sex life. How does him being a closet case factor in to whether he stole money?
Kangol
If he was mis-using campaign funds, for a lover–of whatever gender–it’s a crime. If he was using a beard yet secretly using the funds for a boyfriend, that’s material to the case. That’s why they asked. In any case, he was anti-gay in his voting, so the creep gets no sympathy my book.
GayEGO
A former Illinois congressman was a GOP? Such a Schock! Arrest and convict him now please!
Creamsicle
This sounds like an open-and-shut case. Why has it dragged on since March of 2015? If there is evidence of financial misconduct what more is there to this case besides the technicality of his misconduct violating House of Representative rules.
BrokebackBob
SCHOCK HIM UP! NO, SERIOUSLY! LOCK HIM UP!