Former Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., said this week he may return to politics after making a deal with prosecutors to avoid corruption charges.
Schock resigned from Congress in 2015 over questions about his spending. He was indicted in 2016 on 24 felony counts of filing improper expense claims and misusing campaign funds.
Under the deal, the former congressman agreed to pay back taxes to the IRS and $68,000 to his congressional campaign funds.
In an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Schock said “a rogue prosecutor” was to blame for pursuing a case “without merit” for four years.
"I have been trying to survive the last four years. When you go toe-to-toe with the federal government, they have an unlimited budget and most Americans don't," he said. "It's come at significant cost to me financially and professionally and now that this is behind me, I'm looking forward to pursuing opportunities in the private sector. I'll always have a heart to serve, that doesn't' mean I have to run for office. There are other ways to serve your community."
Schock then added, "At 37 years old, I don't think I'll ever say never."
"I'm not running for office right now but I would identify more as a Republican than a Democrat," he said later.
"As much as I haven't enjoyed the beating," Schock said, "I have enjoyed being out of politics the last four years."