Former Congressman Aaron Schock's Pursuit of a Second Chance and a Potential Gold Mine of New Opportunities
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The former Illinois Republican lawmaker opted to leave behind the disgrace associated with his congressional career, instead pursuing what he described as an opportunity to capitalize on a Venezuelan gold mine, as well as the prospect of reinventing himself within the Washington establishment under the presidency of Trump.
Then-Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) is seen speaking during an interview in his office located on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 2, 2012, as captured by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images.
Aaron Schock was utterly unable to refrain from discussing the gold, and upon his return from a trip to Caracas in the early part of 2025, he began telling a trusted confidant that
It was impossible for anyone around Schock to determine whether the agreement was actually genuine, as it could have been a clever deception designed to conceal a more complex reality, much like many other aspects of Schock's life, which often appeared to be a gilded mirage. However, for a significant portion of the year, those who interacted with Schock perceived him as a man who was clearly motivated by the prospect of gaining a substantial amount of gold, which
The former Illinois Republican lawmaker had experienced a particularly challenging decade, having resigned from Congress in 2015 amidst an ethics investigation that delved into alleged spending abuses, which had significant repercussions for his career. The decision to publicly disclose his sexual orientation as gay in March of 2020 resulted in a strained relationship with his family, who resided in the Midwest, leading to a considerable amount of personal turmoil. Following this, Schock relocated to Beverly Hills, where he
Schock embarked on a journey to Venezuela, becoming increasingly preoccupied with the prospect of a future windfall that was deeply intertwined with a broader endeavor to restore his reputation, as evident from a comprehensive review of his personal calendar entries spanning an entire year, private group chats, and an examination of his bank transactions over a period of five months, in addition to in-depth interviews with his associates who participated in the chats, including Papermaster, who served as the top
Schock is in attendance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which takes place in New York, on the specific date of October 15, 2025, as captured by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret.
The assortment of throwback characters associated with MAGA has effectively challenged the long-standing notion that there are no second acts to be had in American life.
Schock's re-emergence onto the political scene was
According to Papermaster, who had the opportunity to serve as an aide-de-camp during Schock's year-long endeavor to redefine Venezuela policy, he is willing to fight to the death in order to secure this oil deal and this gold deal. Furthermore, Papermaster noted that Schock's unwavering determination to achieve his goals will likely lead to him allowing everything else around him to collapse, as his focus on this particular objective takes precedence over all other considerations.
From his unique position as the first millennial to be elected to Congress, which occurred in 2009, and representing a distinct region of central and western Illinois that is characterized by rural areas and small towns, he held a highly coveted seat on the influential Ways and Means Committee, was a member of the House whip team, and had even explored the possibility of running for governor - a prospect that earned him recognition as “one of the rising stars of the Republican Party
According to former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was succeeded by Schock in the district, the people he represented held him in high regard as a congressman, and it is evident that they thought he was a very good congressman. He was able to secure his election victories by a substantial margin, winning his elections overwhelmingly, which further underscores the level of support he had from his constituents.
It was not until 2015 that Schock's personal life started to
Accusations of sloppy, or in certain instances, entirely non-existent accounting practices pertaining to congressional and campaign finances continued to accumulate. During a 2014 trip to Rio de Janeiro, there was an expenditure of $800 that was duty-free, which was allocated towards "event supplies" at a shop located in Galeão International Airport, and his campaign had initially described these items as "gift shop items for fundraising and donors" at the time of the purchase. Furthermore
In April 2015, as a federal grand jury based in Illinois was preparing to examine evidence related to alleged impropriety, Aaron Schock resigned from his position in Congress. The following year, he faced charges that included "defrauding the federal government" as well as "covering it up with false and fraudulent statements, claims, and invoices." According to the indictment filed by prosecutors, it was alleged that Schock had billed taxpayers and campaign committees for more
As the case continued to drag on for a period of four years, Aaron Schock relocated to the state of California, where he subsequently grew a beard, and during this time, he became fixated on renovating and fixing up his apartment located in the prestigious area of Beverly Hills. From his new base in California, Schock returned to the type of work he was engaged in prior to his congressional career, and in the year 2016, he joined forces
“Four years ago, I departed from my position amidst a significant amount of media attention that I believed at the time was exaggerated and unwarranted,” he stated at the federal courthouse in Chicago following the announcement of the deferred prosecution agreement. “However, I made a statement then that I reiterated today in court, which was that my office and I could have performed more effectively in terms of administrative functions, particularly at the back end of our office, and I have been
He acknowledged that he acquired a significant amount of knowledge and experience, stating that he learned "lots in the process."
He was reminded of Edmund Burke, the renowned British parliamentarian, who is famously quoted as saying "he who wrestles with you strengthens you," and Schock shared this insight with reporters, emphasizing that this philosophy is guiding his perspective.
Schock told reporters, "and so I'm focused on the future not the past," indicating that
His past still had a significant impact on his life, and it was not yet ready to let him go. In the year that followed, Schock made a public announcement in March 2020, by posting a letter to his large audience of tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, in which he openly declared that he is gay. He reflected on his conservative childhood, which was heavily influenced by his upbringing in the Apostolic Christian Church, located in the rural areas
In the Instagram post, he grappled with the persona he had established in Congress, noting that he had received a significant amount of attention, which he admitted to taking pleasure in. According to Schock, his time in Congress provided him with numerous justifications to procrastinate and evade being his genuine self, the individual he had always been deep down. He acknowledged that the stance he took on same-sex marriage was in line with the views held by the leaders of
Schock is seen perusing a copy of Washington Life magazine during the course of a House Ways and Means Committee hearing that took place on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 12, 2013.
In response to Schock's announcement, gay and lesbian Democrats frequently pointed to his voting record, specifically his vote against allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, for instance, as clear evidence of what they perceived to be his hypocrisy. However
In the year 2021, he made a trip to Nashville in order to attend a pride event that was being organized by the Log Cabin Republicans' media outlet, Outspoken, where he would be joining former acting national intelligence director Richard Grenell. It was during his time spent within California's network of politically connected gay Republicans that Schock initially formed a friendship with Grenell, who held the distinction of being the only openly gay acting Cabinet-level official in the history
Schock subsequently shifted his focus towards less high-profile real estate ventures, adopting a more subdued approach to his business pursuits. He went on to establish Schock & Haywood, a company dedicated to developing apartment complexes in various locations across Florida and Georgia, marking a significant expansion of his real estate portfolio. One of the company's most ambitious projects, a site in St. Petersburg that Schock had partnered with a bitcoin mining company to acquire in 2022,
Following the election, Schock was presented with an offer from Harry Sargeant III, a Republican donor based in Florida and a long-standing investor in Venezuela, who revealed to POLITICO via a text message that he had been acquainted with the former lawmaker for a considerable number of years. According to Christopher Kise, the attorney representing Sargeant, Schock was hired in or around February 2025 for a single payment of $100,000, which was a
The compensation was purportedly for the purpose of "strategic consulting," as stated by Kise, who categorically denied that Schock was "retained by Mr. Sargeant as a lobbyist and was not expected to provide lobbying services." According to Kise, Sargeant did not employ Schock with the intention of leveraging his influence to have sanctions lifted on his oil business venture.
Kise further elaborated, stating that the idea of a highly
On January 15, 2025, as indicated by a copy of his personal calendar, Schock undertook a journey by private jet from Miami Beach to Aspen, where he was scheduled to attend Gay Ski Week, an event that was advertised as a seven-night extravaganza featuring skiing, concerts, film screenings, and symposiums. During his stay at the St. Regis Resort, Schock found himself in the company of a business consultant from Los
If managed appropriately, Papermaster contended, Schock's hobby as a Republican campaign surrogate had the potential to yield greater financial rewards than his selected profession in the real estate sector. Papermaster offered to assist in overseeing a strategic career transition, thereby helping Schock to potentially capitalize on new opportunities.
According to Papermaster, he had a conversation with Schock in which he expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating, “You are distinctly situated to truly capitalize on
Later that month, Schock traveled to Caracas, where he engaged in various activities, as evidenced by a record of his credit card charges, which revealed that he dined at one of the city's most esteemed and long-established steakhouses. Additionally, he stayed at a luxurious five-star hotel that was approximately five miles away from Miraflores Palace, the official presidential office that had been the focal point of a so-called maximum-pressure campaign initiated by h
Schock seized the opportunity to diversify his supporters beyond Sargeant, recognizing the potential to expand his network of benefactors. As a real estate professional, he possessed a unique ability to envision a fully developed property where others might only see an empty lot, and he applied this same perspective to the complex situation surrounding Venezuela. The prevailing opinion landscape in Washington regarding Venezuela was, in fact, akin to a vacant lot, full of possibilities waiting to be developed,
"Rubio is advocating for regime change, utilizing the same maximum pressure approach that was employed previously," Schock expressed to his allies in a WhatsApp group chat during the previous spring, which was one of several messages in which Schock attempted to demonstrate his understanding of the inner workings of the executive branch. The White House declined to provide a comment regarding Schock's contacts within the administration.
However, Schock's attention was never completely focused on American foreign policy issues.
The expense records that were submitted by Papermaster to a lawyer representing one of Sargeant's companies provide a detailed illustration of the frenetic and high-flying lifestyle that Schock maintained, with all the associated expenses being covered by his patron. In a message dated May 2025, which was obtained by POLITICO, Schock acknowledged to Papermaster that he had taken on the responsibility of covering Papermaster's expenses, including those that were incurred on behalf of Harry
During the five-month period commencing on March 6, Schock accumulated a total of $185,000 in expenditures that he categorized as business expenses, which encompassed a wide range of costs including flights, meals, Uber rides, and accommodations at luxurious hotels located around the world, such as the Nikki Beach resort in Mallorca and the Kimpton Shorebreak in southern California. Additionally, Schock submitted invoices to Sargeant for various expenses, including subscriptions to
In the context of the Venezuela campaign, a collaborator posed a question in a group-chat exchange, inquiring whether Schock required documentation for the purposes of complying with the regulations outlined in the Foreign Agents Registration Act, commonly referred to as FARA, but Schock did not provide a direct response to this inquiry.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez delivered remarks during a press conference that took place at the Miraflores presidential palace, which is
According to Papermaster, he deliberately chose not to register, as his primary intention was to retain possession of the congressional member's pin, which he valued highly due to its ability to provide him with ongoing access to the House floor. This is because a former lawmaker who decides to register as a foreign agent would subsequently forfeit these privileges, highlighting the significance of maintaining his current status.
Schock had departed from Congress several months prior to Trump initiating his takeover of the
At one point, Schock inquired, "What is the cost of a four-week rotator buy in the DC metro area," in a group chat conversation with a number of individuals who were collaborating to bring about change in Venezuela. "I am assuming that advertising on Fox and Newsmax would be sufficient," Schock continued, "we could flood the airwaves with our message, and if the situation requires an extension, we could switch to expressing our gratitude,
Kise stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Sargeant was ever involved with Forward Global or collaborated with them in any capacity.
According to a statement provided to POLITICO, Forward Global explained that their interaction with Mr. Sargeant, as well as with Mr. Schock and Mr. Papermaster, which took place last spring, was a targeted advisory initiative that focused on a specific communications and brand management program aimed at supporting President Trump and
In an effort to personally wound the hawks circling Trump, including Mauricio Claver-Carone, who is an ally of Rubio, Schock turned to Trump confidante Laura Loomer, who recalled that she initially met him at a fundraiser held at Mar-a-Lago for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds in the year 2024. Schock was of the opinion that Loomer, who had subsequently developed a skillset for navigating administration
Schock was once again a prominent figure in Washington, as evidenced by his calendar and credit card transactions, which revealed that he was accumulating substantial expenses, including thousand-dollar-plus tabs for meals at esteemed establishments such as Cafe Milano and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, while he endeavored to ingratiate himself with high-level administration officials through strategically planned meetings at the prestigious Hay-Adams Hotel and the exclusive, members-only club, the Ned
Papermaster recommended that Schock hire the services of Matthew Hiltzik, a prominent New York publicist, to assist in improving his Wikipedia page. Papermaster expressed his desire to obtain an update on the progress of research concerning Aaron Schock, specifically with regards to efforts aimed at rehabilitating his reputation, in a message sent to Hiltzik on March 19, as indicated by an email that was obtained by POLITICO. Matthew Hiltzik declined to provide any
That spring, in a private message that was exclusively between the two of them, Papermaster raised the issue of how to obtain public relations assistance to help improve the perception of his biography by essentially papering over it.
In a WhatsApp chat, Papermaster expressed his thoughts by writing, “I thought your friends were going to pay for the reputation repair?”
Schock replied with the question, “Who?” and then he added, “I don’t have any friends, Lol, I only have users.” This response from Schock provided insight into his social circle, or lack thereof. To Papermaster, it seemed that Schock was driven by two primary objectives, which were to restore his reputation and to successfully complete the gold deal that he claimed had been promised to him by Rodriguez, as he had previously stated.
As Papermaster recalls, upon his return from Caracas, he distinctly remembers saying to Schock, "Dude, that is the dumbest fucking idea." Papermaster presented his argument to Schock, emphasizing that the gold mines are under the control of cartels and gangsters, and he further explained his point by stating, "Lord knows, you're not going to fucking mine the gold."
Despite this, Schock directed Papermaster to initiate preparations for the steps he would take once the opportunity became available to him. At the request of Schock, Papermaster proposed the name of a skilled metallurgist who would be capable of refining the gold that he would acquire, as indicated by a screenshot of a text exchange that took place on February 18, which was reviewed by POLITICO.
Schock, however, was unable to divert his attention away
Schock became completely engulfed in the extravagances that came with his role as a global fixer, taking on a lifestyle that reflected his newfound status. According to Papermaster, Schock gave him instructions to research and price a private jet for his air travel, and he also specifically demanded the acquisition of a Mercedes-Benz Metris van to ensure secure transportation on the ground. Papermaster further recalled that Schock's daily routine involved partying at night and sleeping
By April of the current year, however, the situation appeared to be taking a turn for the better for Schock. Although his campaign had not succeeded in weakening Rubio, the removal of Maduro by the United States military had left the regime intact, and this development had significant implications. The United States subsequently restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela and then proceeded to ease the bank sanctions that had been imposed, which further altered the landscape. Throughout this entire period, Rodriguez continued to consolidate
Last month, Schock returned to Venezuela, as indicated by a Copa Airlines flight itinerary that was reviewed by POLITICO, however, on this occasion, he did not initially travel to Caracas, which is the central location of Venezuelan government power.
Instead, Schock's destination was Valencia, a city located in the Carabobo province, a region where foreign adventurers initially discovered gold as far back as 1551.
In the year 2017, rumors
The city of Valencia, located in Venezuela, is visible in the above image, which was captured on March 27, 2024, and is credited to Juan Carlos Hernandez/AFP via Getty Images.
The former Illinois Republican lawmaker opted to leave behind the disgrace associated with his congressional career, instead pursuing what he described as an opportunity to capitalize on a Venezuelan gold mine, as well as the prospect of reinventing himself within the Washington establishment under the presidency of Trump.
Then-Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) is seen speaking during an interview in his office located on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 2, 2012, as captured by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images.
Aaron Schock was utterly unable to refrain from discussing the gold, and upon his return from a trip to Caracas in the early part of 2025, he began telling a trusted confidant that
It was impossible for anyone around Schock to determine whether the agreement was actually genuine, as it could have been a clever deception designed to conceal a more complex reality, much like many other aspects of Schock's life, which often appeared to be a gilded mirage. However, for a significant portion of the year, those who interacted with Schock perceived him as a man who was clearly motivated by the prospect of gaining a substantial amount of gold, which
The former Illinois Republican lawmaker had experienced a particularly challenging decade, having resigned from Congress in 2015 amidst an ethics investigation that delved into alleged spending abuses, which had significant repercussions for his career. The decision to publicly disclose his sexual orientation as gay in March of 2020 resulted in a strained relationship with his family, who resided in the Midwest, leading to a considerable amount of personal turmoil. Following this, Schock relocated to Beverly Hills, where he
Schock embarked on a journey to Venezuela, becoming increasingly preoccupied with the prospect of a future windfall that was deeply intertwined with a broader endeavor to restore his reputation, as evident from a comprehensive review of his personal calendar entries spanning an entire year, private group chats, and an examination of his bank transactions over a period of five months, in addition to in-depth interviews with his associates who participated in the chats, including Papermaster, who served as the top
Schock is in attendance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which takes place in New York, on the specific date of October 15, 2025, as captured by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret.
The assortment of throwback characters associated with MAGA has effectively challenged the long-standing notion that there are no second acts to be had in American life.
Schock's re-emergence onto the political scene was
According to Papermaster, who had the opportunity to serve as an aide-de-camp during Schock's year-long endeavor to redefine Venezuela policy, he is willing to fight to the death in order to secure this oil deal and this gold deal. Furthermore, Papermaster noted that Schock's unwavering determination to achieve his goals will likely lead to him allowing everything else around him to collapse, as his focus on this particular objective takes precedence over all other considerations.
From his unique position as the first millennial to be elected to Congress, which occurred in 2009, and representing a distinct region of central and western Illinois that is characterized by rural areas and small towns, he held a highly coveted seat on the influential Ways and Means Committee, was a member of the House whip team, and had even explored the possibility of running for governor - a prospect that earned him recognition as “one of the rising stars of the Republican Party
According to former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was succeeded by Schock in the district, the people he represented held him in high regard as a congressman, and it is evident that they thought he was a very good congressman. He was able to secure his election victories by a substantial margin, winning his elections overwhelmingly, which further underscores the level of support he had from his constituents.
It was not until 2015 that Schock's personal life started to
Accusations of sloppy, or in certain instances, entirely non-existent accounting practices pertaining to congressional and campaign finances continued to accumulate. During a 2014 trip to Rio de Janeiro, there was an expenditure of $800 that was duty-free, which was allocated towards "event supplies" at a shop located in Galeão International Airport, and his campaign had initially described these items as "gift shop items for fundraising and donors" at the time of the purchase. Furthermore
In April 2015, as a federal grand jury based in Illinois was preparing to examine evidence related to alleged impropriety, Aaron Schock resigned from his position in Congress. The following year, he faced charges that included "defrauding the federal government" as well as "covering it up with false and fraudulent statements, claims, and invoices." According to the indictment filed by prosecutors, it was alleged that Schock had billed taxpayers and campaign committees for more
As the case continued to drag on for a period of four years, Aaron Schock relocated to the state of California, where he subsequently grew a beard, and during this time, he became fixated on renovating and fixing up his apartment located in the prestigious area of Beverly Hills. From his new base in California, Schock returned to the type of work he was engaged in prior to his congressional career, and in the year 2016, he joined forces
“Four years ago, I departed from my position amidst a significant amount of media attention that I believed at the time was exaggerated and unwarranted,” he stated at the federal courthouse in Chicago following the announcement of the deferred prosecution agreement. “However, I made a statement then that I reiterated today in court, which was that my office and I could have performed more effectively in terms of administrative functions, particularly at the back end of our office, and I have been
He acknowledged that he acquired a significant amount of knowledge and experience, stating that he learned "lots in the process."
He was reminded of Edmund Burke, the renowned British parliamentarian, who is famously quoted as saying "he who wrestles with you strengthens you," and Schock shared this insight with reporters, emphasizing that this philosophy is guiding his perspective.
Schock told reporters, "and so I'm focused on the future not the past," indicating that
His past still had a significant impact on his life, and it was not yet ready to let him go. In the year that followed, Schock made a public announcement in March 2020, by posting a letter to his large audience of tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, in which he openly declared that he is gay. He reflected on his conservative childhood, which was heavily influenced by his upbringing in the Apostolic Christian Church, located in the rural areas
In the Instagram post, he grappled with the persona he had established in Congress, noting that he had received a significant amount of attention, which he admitted to taking pleasure in. According to Schock, his time in Congress provided him with numerous justifications to procrastinate and evade being his genuine self, the individual he had always been deep down. He acknowledged that the stance he took on same-sex marriage was in line with the views held by the leaders of
Schock is seen perusing a copy of Washington Life magazine during the course of a House Ways and Means Committee hearing that took place on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 12, 2013.
In response to Schock's announcement, gay and lesbian Democrats frequently pointed to his voting record, specifically his vote against allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, for instance, as clear evidence of what they perceived to be his hypocrisy. However
In the year 2021, he made a trip to Nashville in order to attend a pride event that was being organized by the Log Cabin Republicans' media outlet, Outspoken, where he would be joining former acting national intelligence director Richard Grenell. It was during his time spent within California's network of politically connected gay Republicans that Schock initially formed a friendship with Grenell, who held the distinction of being the only openly gay acting Cabinet-level official in the history
Schock subsequently shifted his focus towards less high-profile real estate ventures, adopting a more subdued approach to his business pursuits. He went on to establish Schock & Haywood, a company dedicated to developing apartment complexes in various locations across Florida and Georgia, marking a significant expansion of his real estate portfolio. One of the company's most ambitious projects, a site in St. Petersburg that Schock had partnered with a bitcoin mining company to acquire in 2022,
Following the election, Schock was presented with an offer from Harry Sargeant III, a Republican donor based in Florida and a long-standing investor in Venezuela, who revealed to POLITICO via a text message that he had been acquainted with the former lawmaker for a considerable number of years. According to Christopher Kise, the attorney representing Sargeant, Schock was hired in or around February 2025 for a single payment of $100,000, which was a
The compensation was purportedly for the purpose of "strategic consulting," as stated by Kise, who categorically denied that Schock was "retained by Mr. Sargeant as a lobbyist and was not expected to provide lobbying services." According to Kise, Sargeant did not employ Schock with the intention of leveraging his influence to have sanctions lifted on his oil business venture.
Kise further elaborated, stating that the idea of a highly
On January 15, 2025, as indicated by a copy of his personal calendar, Schock undertook a journey by private jet from Miami Beach to Aspen, where he was scheduled to attend Gay Ski Week, an event that was advertised as a seven-night extravaganza featuring skiing, concerts, film screenings, and symposiums. During his stay at the St. Regis Resort, Schock found himself in the company of a business consultant from Los
If managed appropriately, Papermaster contended, Schock's hobby as a Republican campaign surrogate had the potential to yield greater financial rewards than his selected profession in the real estate sector. Papermaster offered to assist in overseeing a strategic career transition, thereby helping Schock to potentially capitalize on new opportunities.
According to Papermaster, he had a conversation with Schock in which he expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating, “You are distinctly situated to truly capitalize on
Later that month, Schock traveled to Caracas, where he engaged in various activities, as evidenced by a record of his credit card charges, which revealed that he dined at one of the city's most esteemed and long-established steakhouses. Additionally, he stayed at a luxurious five-star hotel that was approximately five miles away from Miraflores Palace, the official presidential office that had been the focal point of a so-called maximum-pressure campaign initiated by h
Schock seized the opportunity to diversify his supporters beyond Sargeant, recognizing the potential to expand his network of benefactors. As a real estate professional, he possessed a unique ability to envision a fully developed property where others might only see an empty lot, and he applied this same perspective to the complex situation surrounding Venezuela. The prevailing opinion landscape in Washington regarding Venezuela was, in fact, akin to a vacant lot, full of possibilities waiting to be developed,
"Rubio is advocating for regime change, utilizing the same maximum pressure approach that was employed previously," Schock expressed to his allies in a WhatsApp group chat during the previous spring, which was one of several messages in which Schock attempted to demonstrate his understanding of the inner workings of the executive branch. The White House declined to provide a comment regarding Schock's contacts within the administration.
However, Schock's attention was never completely focused on American foreign policy issues.
The expense records that were submitted by Papermaster to a lawyer representing one of Sargeant's companies provide a detailed illustration of the frenetic and high-flying lifestyle that Schock maintained, with all the associated expenses being covered by his patron. In a message dated May 2025, which was obtained by POLITICO, Schock acknowledged to Papermaster that he had taken on the responsibility of covering Papermaster's expenses, including those that were incurred on behalf of Harry
During the five-month period commencing on March 6, Schock accumulated a total of $185,000 in expenditures that he categorized as business expenses, which encompassed a wide range of costs including flights, meals, Uber rides, and accommodations at luxurious hotels located around the world, such as the Nikki Beach resort in Mallorca and the Kimpton Shorebreak in southern California. Additionally, Schock submitted invoices to Sargeant for various expenses, including subscriptions to
In the context of the Venezuela campaign, a collaborator posed a question in a group-chat exchange, inquiring whether Schock required documentation for the purposes of complying with the regulations outlined in the Foreign Agents Registration Act, commonly referred to as FARA, but Schock did not provide a direct response to this inquiry.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez delivered remarks during a press conference that took place at the Miraflores presidential palace, which is
According to Papermaster, he deliberately chose not to register, as his primary intention was to retain possession of the congressional member's pin, which he valued highly due to its ability to provide him with ongoing access to the House floor. This is because a former lawmaker who decides to register as a foreign agent would subsequently forfeit these privileges, highlighting the significance of maintaining his current status.
Schock had departed from Congress several months prior to Trump initiating his takeover of the
At one point, Schock inquired, "What is the cost of a four-week rotator buy in the DC metro area," in a group chat conversation with a number of individuals who were collaborating to bring about change in Venezuela. "I am assuming that advertising on Fox and Newsmax would be sufficient," Schock continued, "we could flood the airwaves with our message, and if the situation requires an extension, we could switch to expressing our gratitude,
Kise stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Sargeant was ever involved with Forward Global or collaborated with them in any capacity.
According to a statement provided to POLITICO, Forward Global explained that their interaction with Mr. Sargeant, as well as with Mr. Schock and Mr. Papermaster, which took place last spring, was a targeted advisory initiative that focused on a specific communications and brand management program aimed at supporting President Trump and
In an effort to personally wound the hawks circling Trump, including Mauricio Claver-Carone, who is an ally of Rubio, Schock turned to Trump confidante Laura Loomer, who recalled that she initially met him at a fundraiser held at Mar-a-Lago for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds in the year 2024. Schock was of the opinion that Loomer, who had subsequently developed a skillset for navigating administration
Schock was once again a prominent figure in Washington, as evidenced by his calendar and credit card transactions, which revealed that he was accumulating substantial expenses, including thousand-dollar-plus tabs for meals at esteemed establishments such as Cafe Milano and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, while he endeavored to ingratiate himself with high-level administration officials through strategically planned meetings at the prestigious Hay-Adams Hotel and the exclusive, members-only club, the Ned
Papermaster recommended that Schock hire the services of Matthew Hiltzik, a prominent New York publicist, to assist in improving his Wikipedia page. Papermaster expressed his desire to obtain an update on the progress of research concerning Aaron Schock, specifically with regards to efforts aimed at rehabilitating his reputation, in a message sent to Hiltzik on March 19, as indicated by an email that was obtained by POLITICO. Matthew Hiltzik declined to provide any
That spring, in a private message that was exclusively between the two of them, Papermaster raised the issue of how to obtain public relations assistance to help improve the perception of his biography by essentially papering over it.
In a WhatsApp chat, Papermaster expressed his thoughts by writing, “I thought your friends were going to pay for the reputation repair?”
Schock replied with the question, “Who?” and then he added, “I don’t have any friends, Lol, I only have users.” This response from Schock provided insight into his social circle, or lack thereof. To Papermaster, it seemed that Schock was driven by two primary objectives, which were to restore his reputation and to successfully complete the gold deal that he claimed had been promised to him by Rodriguez, as he had previously stated.
As Papermaster recalls, upon his return from Caracas, he distinctly remembers saying to Schock, "Dude, that is the dumbest fucking idea." Papermaster presented his argument to Schock, emphasizing that the gold mines are under the control of cartels and gangsters, and he further explained his point by stating, "Lord knows, you're not going to fucking mine the gold."
Despite this, Schock directed Papermaster to initiate preparations for the steps he would take once the opportunity became available to him. At the request of Schock, Papermaster proposed the name of a skilled metallurgist who would be capable of refining the gold that he would acquire, as indicated by a screenshot of a text exchange that took place on February 18, which was reviewed by POLITICO.
Schock, however, was unable to divert his attention away
Schock became completely engulfed in the extravagances that came with his role as a global fixer, taking on a lifestyle that reflected his newfound status. According to Papermaster, Schock gave him instructions to research and price a private jet for his air travel, and he also specifically demanded the acquisition of a Mercedes-Benz Metris van to ensure secure transportation on the ground. Papermaster further recalled that Schock's daily routine involved partying at night and sleeping
By April of the current year, however, the situation appeared to be taking a turn for the better for Schock. Although his campaign had not succeeded in weakening Rubio, the removal of Maduro by the United States military had left the regime intact, and this development had significant implications. The United States subsequently restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela and then proceeded to ease the bank sanctions that had been imposed, which further altered the landscape. Throughout this entire period, Rodriguez continued to consolidate
Last month, Schock returned to Venezuela, as indicated by a Copa Airlines flight itinerary that was reviewed by POLITICO, however, on this occasion, he did not initially travel to Caracas, which is the central location of Venezuelan government power.
Instead, Schock's destination was Valencia, a city located in the Carabobo province, a region where foreign adventurers initially discovered gold as far back as 1551.
In the year 2017, rumors
The city of Valencia, located in Venezuela, is visible in the above image, which was captured on March 27, 2024, and is credited to Juan Carlos Hernandez/AFP via Getty Images.
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