Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois reportedly may have spent more than $5,000 on a replica presidential podium six years ago, part of a group of furniture purchases that totaled nearly $80,000.
A BuzzFeed report says Schock "very likely" bought the podium from Mulnix Industries, where he spent $5,123 in 2009.
The podium model is "The Presidential," and although the company's
website says it has been discontinued, Schock's has what seems to be a near-replica of the presidential seal that hangs on U.S. presidential podiums. The podium itself, according to BuzzFeed, is "a fairly accurate replica" of one of three typically used by President Barack Obama.
Mulnix Industries General Manager Phil Crane told BuzzFeed it was "very likely" he sold the Republican congressman the podium, saying he would need to check his records to confirm that.
Crane said the presidential podiums sold for "somewhere around" $5,000 each.
Schock's office is decorated in a
"Downton Abbey" theme, complete with red walls, old photos, and a crystal chandelier.
Last month, a
USA Today report said Schock spent $79,061 in taxpayer money to redecorate his office with expensive furniture. That story also said Schock spent thousands of dollars on other purchases for his office, including $7,400 that went to an Illinois design/build firm and $6,600 to a painting contractor.
Schock is also under investigation for allegedly using federal money to pay for private airfare to a football game and
other trips totaling $40,000.
The congressman is also under fire over questionable real estate deals as well.
Last month, Schock's senior adviser resigned after reportedly making racist remarks on Facebook.
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