By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Federal investigators conducted a thorough investigation of former congressman Aaron Schock, according to a politics and government professor at Illinois State University.
A federal grand jury indicted Schock Thursday on 24 federal counts, including wire fraud and theft of funds. Professor Tom McClure said he can tell by reading the 52-page indictment, the FBI did its due diligence during its investigation.
“Not only did they go through the campaign finance data for three different committees, but they also looked at what was happening in the office itself,” said McClure. “It was a very extensive investigation.”
Schock resigned last year amid questions regarding his campaign spending. Being convicted on a single wire fraud count carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
“I really don’t know whether or not they are going to be using this as an inducement for him to help them in another indictment, but it doesn’t look like it based on what I’ve read in the indictment,” McClure said.
McClure added it’s likely Schock will at least be forced to pay restitution.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
