Schock supporter wants refund, files lawsuit

CHICAGO -- A supporter of former Congressman Aaron Schock wants his money back and is going to court to try to get it. The argument: Schock didn't live up to his promise to be a reformer, so Chicago attorney Howard Foster wants a refund.

The lawsuit likely hinges on whether money given to a politician is a gift or an outright purchase of a service expected to be rendered.

"For those who I have let down, I will work tirelessly to make it up to you," Schock said on March 26, 2015, just days before his resignation became official.

If Schock is still looking for ways to make up with supporters, Foster suggests he start by returning his $500 campaign donation. In the class action lawsuit, Howard said he feels "sad, angry, cheated" and "...filled with total disgust, disbelief and anger."

The lawsuit even quotes an ABC7 interview with Schock's father, where Dr. Richard Schock said, "Two years from now he'll be successful, if he's not in jail."

The donor says he's suing because the politician let him down. David Melton of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform says he doesn't think courts will want to get involved in determining which politicians lie to get elected.

"Buying a sports car is one thing. You're paying money for a product in return. When you make a contribution to a political candidate, it's a bit more like a gift than a purchase," Melton said.

A grand jury is currently hearing testimony about how Schock spent campaign money and tax dollars. A probe that got red hot after Schock's funding of the Downton Abbey re-do of his Washington office, reports that he was shuttled around on private jets. And the revelation he may have significantly over-billed taxpayers for mileage.

"That's how we hold politicians liable is we have prosecutors who look at whether transactions they engaged in were legal or not," Melton said.

Schock still has almost $3 million in his campaign fund. Federal law allows him to give it to other candidates, donate to charity and provide refunds to donors. He can also use the money to pay legal bills. Since those are mounting, experts said that's probably where most of it will go.