Aaron Shock News
Disgraced Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock (36), who seems to regularly imply that he is not gay, is back in the news cycle.
As you may recall, Mr. Shock is currently facing criminal charges connected to allegations that he improperly used his congressional office and campaign funds.
The feds believe he spent that money on personal travel and pricey items not related to governmental business.
Back in August, Mr. Shock’s attorneys made a big deal to the media about how prosecutors allegedly asked about Schock’s personal sex life (see link).
Characterizing the purported question of witnesses as “distasteful, offensive,” and “prejudicial” his defense lawyers have suggested that the feds were snooping around to find out if Shock is gay and if his ex-girlfriend was just a cover.
Apparently, prosecutors have had enough.
In newly obtained court records shared by local ABC 7 in Chicago, , they call Mr. Schock’s allegations “outrageous” and “sensational.”
“Government motions reject Schock's allegations that they were looking into his sex life or engaged in any prosecutorial misconduct. The one-time rising star of the GOP has asked a federal judge to throw out the fraud case against him due to actions by prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Colin Stirling Bruce has not ruled on the motion to dismiss.”
“We fully agree with Defendant Schock that his sexuality is completely irrelevant in this criminal matter,” prosecutors wrote in their federal court filing. “It was not of interest to the government, and the government did not inquire about it.”
There were statements made by witnesses concerning Schock's sexuality, prosecutors acknowledge, but they say that was due to gossip and some pubic references about Schock during his time in public life.
Prosecutors acknowledge there were statements made by witnesses about his sexual orientation. Out of the approximately 116 people interviewed during the investigation and since the indictment, just 4 contain any mention of Schock's sexuality.”
Apparently, those references were made by the witness and not by the government, according to the report.
Mr. Schock’s trial begins January 22, 2018.
h/t: ABC 7 Chicago
Video: ABC 7 Chicago
