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WASHINGTON — So far, former Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., has been billed more than $2.7 million in legal fees, as federal prosecutors pursue him in criminal grand jury proceedings and a court fight over document production.
Schock, who quit Congress on March 31, has since June paid $1.9 million to eight law firms and owes $746,985 to a ninth, according to the latest Schock for Congress report filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday. Added together — legal bills paid and a debt owed — Schock’s total for lawyers is more than $2.7 million.
The FEC report covering July, August and September shows a $1,177,641 cash-on-hand balance in the campaign fund.
Schock for Congress had $2,110,715 cash-on-hand for the period covering April, May and June.
The legal spending is draining the Schock for Congress campaign fund, which obviously is not being replenished by political contributors. If Schock is indicted and faces a trial, that million dollars may not cover the defense tab.
OPINION
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The legal fee payments flow to nine law firms. A source told the Chicago Sun-Times that Schock is paying the legal bills for staffers who had to hire lawyers in the probe of how their boss spent government and campaign funds.
Since June, Schock has paid $1 million to McGuireWoods, where partner George Terwilliger is a lead lawyer representing Schock. The former Peoria lawmaker paid about $576,000 to Berliner Corcoran & Rowe, which also represents him.
The $746,985 debt is owed to Jones Day.
At immediate issue in the monthslong fight over documents is the federal government’s protesting a move by Schock’s legal team that led to a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough, who sits in Springfield, to privately review 72 records out of the 10,000 Schock has turned over to prosecutors.
The next round of legal wrangling takes place on Oct. 20, when federal prosecutors file their latest briefs in the paperwork battle, with Schock’s lawyers having until Nov. 3 to reply.
Follow Lynn Sweet on Twitter: @LynnSweet
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