Ex-Rep. Aaron Schock’s corruption trial now set to begin in January

A Jan. 28 trial date has been set for former Illinois Republican Congressman Aaron Schock’s trial on corruption charges, including that he illegally sought reimbursement for a $5,000 chandelier.

U.S. District Judge Colin Bruce set the trial date Friday, according to a two-page order filed in court Friday.

Bruce denied Schock’s request to stay all proceedings while his attorneys appeal a recent decision by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that left intact most of the charges against him.

In a conference call with Schock’s lawyers and prosecutors, Bruce outlined an August-to-October pretrial schedule that requires the lawyers to file motions and make requests for oral arguments on those motions.

If the Supreme Court agrees to hear Schock’s appeal, then the proceedings in Illinois would be on hold until a decision is rendered.

Schock resigned in 2015 and was indicted on allegations he misused funds in 2016. The 37-year-old has pleaded not guilty.

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