Timeline of Key Events Leading to Rep. Schock's Resignation

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, 33, a Republican from Peoria, Illinois, said Tuesday that he would resign following weeks of revelations about business deals and lavish spending. Here is a timeline of key events leading up to his resignation:

Feb. 2: The Washington Post reports that an interior decorator donated her services to redo Schock's congressional office in the style of TV show "Downton Abbey," despite House rules that broadly prohibit members of Congress from accepting gifts or services valued at more than $50.

Feb. 4: Nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) requests inquiry by Office of Congressional Ethics.

Feb. 9: CREW calls on Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate whether Schock broke federal law and House rules when he sold a home to a campaign donor for three times its assessed value.

Feb. 19: USA Today reports that Schock might have violated House rule and federal law by spending taxpayer and campaign funds on unauthorized aircraft.

Feb. 23: The Associated Press reports that Schock spent taxpayer and campaign funds for at least 12 flights worth more than $40,000 aboard private planes owned by key donors, tracking the flights partly through photos and videos uploaded to the congressman's Instagram account. The AP also reported on expensive travel and entertainment charges, including for a massage company and to take his interns to a sold-out Katy Perry concert. Schock says he's begun reviewing office procedures and hires top lawyers and public relations experts.

Feb. 25: CREW asks congressional investigators to examine whether Schock violated house ethics rules governing private travel.

Feb. 27: AP reports that Schock personally reimburses government $40,000 for office renovations.

March 1: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Schock improperly billed taxpayers more than $1,200 to travel to a Chicago Bears football game in November.

March 2: The AP reports that Schock billed taxpayers at least three times for more than $14,000 in private air travel last fall, including for trip to Bears game. Those charges are in addition to $40,000 worth of flights reported on Feb. 23.

Read more:
Timeline of Key Events Leading to Rep. Schock's Resignation