Flamboyant US Republican congressman resigns

Washington, March 18, (dpa/GNA) - A young Republican congressman who came under fire for elaborate spending habits, including decorating his office in the style of television show Downton Abbey, said on Tuesday that he will resign amid a finance scandal.

Congressman Aaron Schock, 33, faced an ethics review for his spending habits and allegations that he had misused taxpayer funds on private jets and other luxuries.

News site Politico reported he had also allegedly overbilled the government for mileage reimbursements while driving his personal car on government business.

In a statement announcing his resignation effective at month's end, Schock said the questions about his spending "have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District (of Illinois) with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself."

Schock caught public attention shortly after his election not only for the Downton Abbey theme of his office, but also for posing shirtless on the cover of a magazine to show off his abs. GNA