WASHINGTON — In the wake of stories raising questions about Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., spending of taxpayer and campaign money, the Office of Congressional Ethics has begun to make inquiries, the Sun-Times has learned.
A spokesman for the OCE told the Sun-Times on Monday morning the organization will decline to comment on any Schock probe. The OCE can independently open investigations and does not need to be asked by a person or any entity to launch a probe.
A Schock spokesman so far has not responded to questions about the OCE. Under OCE rules, a subject of an investigation does get notified.
The OCE is an independent, non-partisan organization which reviews allegations of misconduct against House members. The OCE has no power to sanction a member and after its investigations refers matters to the House Committee on Ethics, which then continues with its own probe.
Earlier on Monday: The Sun-Times report on Schock charging taxpayers mileage after a $74,000 SUV was purchased by his campaign and put in his name. Click HERE for story.
