WASHINGTON DC - The Associated Press has learned that Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock has personally reimbursed the government $40,000 for renovations to his congressional office, which was modeled after the TV show "Downton Abbey."
Schock had told reporters that he intended to personally pay for the decorating, like he did for his previous office. Financial records obtained by the AP show that Schock paid $35,000 earlier this month to the owner of the decorating firm, Euro Trash. He paid $5,000 more on Thursday.
Schock has been under scrutiny for using an office expense account to pay for the redecorating, as well as taxpayer and campaign funds for flights on donor-owned planes and concert tickets.
The Washington Post was first to describe the office decorations. A left-wing watchdog group has requested a House ethics review of the congressman's spending.
