Aaron Schock quits US House of Representatives

Aaron Schock has resigned from the US House of Representatives amid questions about his use of taxpayer and campaign funds that began with an office redecoration inspired by the TV series Downton Abbey.

Mr Schock, 33, had been a rising star in the Republican Party, known for the flashy lifestyle he promoted on social media, which included pictures of the congressman posing shirtless in exotic locations or smiling with pop stars. He had been touted as a future leader for the party in its push to connect with younger voters.

But the Illinois congressman has faced questions over possible ethics violations since a Washington Post story last month detailing his Downton-themed office prompted an inquiry into whether he had improperly accepted free interior decorating services.

Mr Schock, a top Republican fundraiser, later paid the decorator $40,000. But the story put his spending habits and lavish lifestyle under increased scrutiny.

Mr Schock said that the "constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th district with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself". He said he was resigning with "a heavy heart".

In the weeks since the Downton Abbey story, Mr Schock has been the subject of a series of reports delving into his travel and entertainment spending.

The Associated Press, in part using the congressman's Instagram account, found that Mr Schock had spent campaign and taxpayer funds on more than $40,000 worth of flights on private planes owned by key donors as well as thousands of dollars worth of Katy Perry concert tickets.

Another report detailed how Mr Schock sold his home to a donor who is a former executive at Caterpillar - which is headquartered in his district - for three times its assessed value.

The resignation was first reported by Politico, which also revealed that Mr Schock had overbilled the government and his campaign for roughly 90,000 miles on his personal vehicle.

When he first entered Congress in 2009, Mr Schock was the youngest member.

Under state law, Illinois must hold a special election for Mr Schock's empty seat within roughly six months of his departure from office.

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