PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Federal prosecutors deny that investigators crossed legal lines in their use of a confidential informant from former Republican Rep. Aaron Schock’s staff to build a corruption case against him.
The former Illinois congressman’s attorneys recently filed court motions accusing federal agents of violating Schock’s constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure, including by having the government’s informant secretly record other staffers.
In a response filed late Tuesday in a federal court in Springfield, prosecutors contend that Schock is trying to “manufacture claims of governmental misconduct” to avoid prosecution. They say agents spelled out to the informant what he or she legally could and couldn’t do, including prohibiting the informant from initiating discussions about legislative matters.
Schock’s lawyers have asked for more information about the government’s handling of the informant.
A 2016 indictment charges Schock with mail fraud, theft of government funds and other crimes, including as he spent lavishly on travel and sports events.
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