Schock reimburses $35,000 for office renovation

Paul Singer | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., has repaid the government $35,000 from his personal funds to cover the cost of redecorating his House office in the style of the PBS drama Downton Abbey.

Schock's office redecoration became a viral news story on Feb. 2, when The Washington Post first reported on it, quoting a staff member describing the rich red decor as being inspired by show about upper-class England. Schock has said he doesn't watch the show and that it did not inspire the decor.

The Post story indicated that decorator Annie Brahler had offered her services for free, and Schock was only being charged for the objects.

However, Schock did not tell the Post or other news organization that his office had already paid $35,000 through the end of December, according to documents reviewed by USA TODAY.

After the Post story, Brahler reimbursed the U.S. Treasury $35,000, the documents show, and Schock then paid her the same amount from his personal account. An undated invoice from Brahler indicates the full cost of the project will total $40,000 for "design services, sourcing, materials, products and installation."

"As he said he would, Congressman Schock has fulfilled his commitment to pay for all the renovation costs of the 18th Congressional District office in Washington," said a statement released by Schock's office Friday. "Even though office expenses are often covered by the Member Representational Allowance, the Congressman believed it appropriate to pay these costs himself as part of the office review process."

USA TODAY has reported that Schock had spent more $100,000 than of his taxpayer-funded account on office renovations in prior years. The expenses included thousands for leather furniture, hardwood floors and marble countertops for his offices in his central Illinois congressional district.

The initial story about the Downton Abbey-inspired office spurred several reports disclosing questionable spending in Schock's official and campaign accounts. Politico reported that Schock appeared to be receiving excessive mileage reimbursements for his personal vehicle. USA TODAY reported that his use of private jets may have violated House rules and federal law.

And the Associated Press used metadata from photos on Schock's prolific Instagram account to determine that he had used campaign donor's planes to fly to official and campaign events.

Schock, who has made few public statements about the reports, has hired top Washington ethics lawyers, and his office has said he is conducting a thorough review of his spending to make sure it complies with House rules and the law.

The liberal-leaning ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed several complaints with congressional ethics investigators requesting investigations of Schock's spending.