Schock prosecutors say they never admitted misleading judge

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The U.S. attorney’s office for central Illinois wants a federal judge to reconsider his finding that prosecutors made false or misleading statements in former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock’s theft-of-government-funds case.

A late Tuesday filing regards defense claims prosecutors told grand juries Schock and his lawyer were asked to appear before them but hadn’t shown up. Schock’s attorneys said that created bias against the Illinois Republican.

Prosecutors say Judge Colin Bruce was wrong to conclude this month that government attorneys at first denied and then admitted that allegation.

They say prosecutors meant to clarify they’d made standard comments about suspects having a right not to appear and never admitted prosecutors made inappropriate statements to grand jurors.

Schock has pleaded not guilty. Messages seeking comment from his legal team weren’t immediately returned.

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