PEORIA -- Updated paperwork was filed for former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's congressional campaign committee earlier this month - but the Peoria Republican says he was just making a tweak to what's in the record.
Media reports indicated Schock may be exploring another run for Illinois' 18th Congressional District, citing the filing. But Schock said he was just updating some information.
"The FEC filing you’re talking about is for the committee that’s been in existence for 10 years. I simply changed the treasurer back to me. Hope that addresses any confusion," Schock said in an e-mail to WCBU Peoria Public Radio.
FEC records show the Schock for Congress committee was first formed in 2007. Paul Kilgore is listed as the previous treasurer.
Schock resigned his seat in March 2015 amid allegations of misuse of campaign and public funds. A federal grand jury indicted Schock on criminal corruption charges in 2016, but the case was dropped by prosecutors in Chicago earlier this year.
As part of an agreement made with the prosecution, Schock agreed to repay $68,000 to his congressional campaign fund and an additional $42,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. The campaign committee also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to properly report expenses to the FEC.
However, the arrangement resulted in no convictions against Schock himself, leaving him free to explore another run for political office if he so chooses.
He has made no formal announcements of an intent to run again.