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Supreme Court won't allow 'Downton Abbey' ex-congressman to challenge his fraud indictment

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Supreme Court won't allow 'Downton Abbey' ex-congressman to challenge his fraud indictment

A former congressman indicted after remodeling his office in the style of the TV series "Downton Abbey" will get a hearing before the Supreme Court.

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Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock speaks to reporters in Peoria, Ill., in 2015. He later resigned and was indicted on fraud charges after remodeling his Capitol Hill office in the style of the television series "Downton Abbey." (Photo11: Seth Perlman, AP)

WASHINGTON – A former congressman who resigned under pressure in 2015 after lavish spending that included remodeling his office in the style of the television series "Downton Abbey" failed to win a reprieve Tuesday at the Supreme Court.

Aaron Schock of Illinois, a former rising Republican star first elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 27, had sought unsuccessfully for two years to have part of his fraud indictment dismissed. 

The justices refused to hear his case after two lower federal courts denied his effort. Schock, now 37, claims his misdeeds can be considered only by the House, not the courts. 

Schock was charged in 2016 of defrauding the government of more than $100,000 by falsifying reimbursement vouchers, as well as filing false tax returns. Federal investigators had dug into allegations that he spent large amounts on personal air travel and office decor.

The young congressman's downfall began in February 2015, when The Washington Post chronicled the renovation of his Capitol Hill office to imitate the decor favored by early 20th century British aristocracy in "Downton Abbey." Schock ultimately reimbursed taxpayers $35,000.

USA TODAY later disclosed that he had spent more than $100,000 on a prior office remodeling, including leather furniture and hardwood floors.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/19/aaron-schock-supreme-court/2617572002/

Westminster Abbey: When was it built, who is buried there and which royal weddings happened there?

Westminster Abbey is perhaps London’s most famous church (although St Pauls Cathedral is also a close contender).

As well as being the site of many royal weddings – and, indeed, burials – the Abbey is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But what makes the stunning building so special, and why is it such a tourist hotspot? Future London takes a closer look.

When was Westminster Abbey built?

The church was first founded more than 1,000 years ago in 960 A.D, under King Edgar and St Dunstan. It was then established as King Edward’s Royal Palace in 1040 when he called it the “west minster.”

(Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey)

King Edward’s Abbey lasted as it was for several centuries until King Henry III decided to rebuild it in a Gothic style. It was consecrated once again in 1269. 

Who is buried at Westminster Abbey?

Several monarchs of the past have been buried at Westminster Abbey, including Elizabeth I, Mary I and Charles II.

Other notable British figures from history are buried in the Nave of the Abbey such as Clement Atlee, Neville Chamberlain, Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton.

Westminster Abbey also contains several memorials for famous historical figures who are buried elsewhere, including Jane Austen, Martin Luther King Jr and Noel Coward.

Royal weddings at Westminster Abbey

As well as being the home of coronations for every monarch since William the Conquerer, it has also been the place where future monarchs have been married, with some of the most famous royal weddings taking place there.

In 1947, Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh tied the knot at the Abbey, six years before she took the throne.

In more recent memory, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.

Surprisingly, Princess Diana and Prince Charles chose to marry at St Paul’s Cathedral instead of the Abbey in 1981.

Poets’ Corner 

This section of the Abbey is dedicated to the graves and memorials of poets, playwrights and novelists throughout British history.

The first writer to be buried in Poets’ Corner was Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, in 1400. 

Since then, Edmund Spenser, known for his Spenserian Sonnet, has been buried next to Chaucer while other writers including C.S. Lewis have been memorialised there.

How to get tickets to Westminster Abbey

Tickets to visit Westminster Abbey are about £20. To book a slot to visit the Abbey, click here.

More about: | Future London | Culture City

Muckamore Abbey: Buck rests with me says Belfast trust boss

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Media captionMartin Dillon says the Belfast Trust will learn from Muckamore failings

The chief executive of the Belfast Health Trust has said he accepts the buck rests with him for the failings in patient care at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

However, Martin Dillon said he would not resign.

In his first interview since news of the Muckamore scandal broke, Mr Dillon said he was determined to put things right.

He met with the families of 25 patients on Monday night.

Mr Dillon discussed giving them more of a say in the running of the County Antrim hospital, which treats people with severe learning disabilities, mental health needs or challenging behaviour.

"Some of the care failings in Muckamore are a source of shame, but my primary focus is on putting things right," he said.

"I'm the accounting officer, the buck rests with me, which is why I am resolved to make things right. We have let families down and we will put this right."

In December, BBC News NI revealed details of a confidential review about the protection of vulnerable patients.

Image caption A report about Muckamore Abbey Hospital listed a series of catastrophic failings

The report concluded that patients' lives had been compromised and it charted a series of catastrophic failings and found there was a culture of tolerating harm.

CCTV footage revealed harrowing incidents of physical and mental abuse of some patients who were unable to speak out for themselves.

A police investigation continues into allegations of abuse at the hospital.

Nineteen health professionals including nurses remain suspended.

The BBC understands one senior manager is on long-term sick leave while another has retired.

"I have been very clear, any member of staff, whether a practitioner or a manager who is found responsible for wrongdoing will be held to account by my organisation," Mr Dillon said.

"Incidents witnessed on CCTV were not reported to management and site management - they were kept invisible from management."

'Huge learning points'

Mr Dillon said the report into Muckamore pointed to a subculture that had developed where unacceptable practice began to be tolerated.

"It may be that when you have an institution like Muckamore where staff have been there a long time a complacency sets in," he said.

"The report also highlights the fact that while patients make very many allegations of abuse, there probably was a tendency on the part of my organisation not to lend credibility to those.

"So those are all huge learning points for this organisation."

He said he accepted in hindsight that the trust should have informed the Department of Health sooner.

Image caption There are plans to move vulnerable long-term patients out of the hospital

"I accept there was a delay in our reporting of some of these matters to the Department of Health," he said.

"But the reason for that was that there was a delay in these matters coming to the attention of very senior management."

Mr Dillon said Monday night's meeting with the families had been "very good" and "very constructive".

"Tonight was only the latest in a series of engagements with the families and carers," he said.

"Our full-time carer consultant has agreed on the back of tonight's meeting to now work up options with the families as to how they could have that more direct role in the governance and oversight of Muckamore Abbey Hospital."

Public inquiry

Former health minister Edwin Poots told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme he would support a public inquiry into the alleged abuse of patients at Muckamore Abbey.

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Media captionEdwin Poots says family has 'niggling doubts' about late brother's treatment in Muckamore

Mr Poots, whose brother was a patient at the hospital, says there needs to be better communication between the Belfast Trust and the Department of Health.

"We need to have more answers to questions," said the Democratic Unionist Party MLA.

"The families will want to know what really went on at Muckamore and having the investigation carried out in a public manner will allow them that knowledge and confidence.

"The trust needs to be honest when they have problems and let the department know straight away because teamwork will help overcome these issues."