GOP Congressman Resigns Amid Scandal

Schock Rally with Mitt and Anne Romney

Politico reports that Aaron Schock — who has faced a string of unflattering revelations concerning his spending habits and may have broken financial disclosure laws — will step down at the end of the month:

“Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31,” Schock said in a statement. “I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. I have given them my all over the last six years. I have traveled to all corners of the District to meet with the people I’ve been fortunate to be able to call my friends and neighbors.”

“But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficultfor me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself. I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve,” he said in a statement.

Mounting evidence that Schock charged taxpayers and campaign donors to fund his high-flying lifestyle triggered a probe by the Office of Congressional Ethics, and the soon-to-be-ex-congressman has also hired two prominent criminal defense attorneys