CHICAGO (AP) – A federal grand jury that heard evidence for more than a year on possible spending violations by ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock has disbanded after its term expired.
But legal experts said Tuesday that doesn’t necessarily mean the Peoria Republican is off the legal hook.
He resigned in March 2015 after coming under intense scrutiny for his spending, including redecorating his office in the style of TV’s “Downton Abbey.”
A U.S. attorney’s office spokeswoman in Springfield, Sharon Paul, confirms the grand jury’s term concluded in June and another’s already been impaneled.
U.S. court districts typically have at least one grand jury impaneled at any one time, with members hearing evidence on multiple cases simultaneously. The next panel could still take up Schock’s case. Neither Paul nor defense lawyers would discuss the implications of the grand jury wrapping up.