Illinois Representative Aaron Schock stepped down Tuesday after a political journalism organization, Politico, exposed that he had reimbursed tens of thousands of dollars more than his actual expenditures for his personal vehicle.

Schock had billed the federal government for logging about 170,000 miles on his personal car, a Chevrolet Tahoe, covering the period January 2010 through July 2014, Politico reported.

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But when he sold the vehicle in July, 2014, the odometer showed that the vehicle had ran for only 80,000 miles and not 170,000 miles as he had claimed.

These data were secured by Politico after it used the Open Records Law to have access to these public records.

This proves that the US government paid Schock for 90,000 miles more than what his car had travelled.

The controversy surrounding Schock is just one example of a growing wave of ethical problems being faced by the 33-year-old politician.

As he resigned, he said, "the constant question 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 also set for myself".

He further said, "I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents, and I thank them for the opportunity to serve".

Aside from resigning, the congressman also returned the amount equivalent to the excess in his reimbursement.

The spokesman said, "in an effort to remove any questions and out of an abundance of caution, Congressman Schock has reimbursed all monies received for official mileage since his election to Congress."

Schock represented the fresh face among the Republicans when he was elected to Congress in 2008.

He was among the party's most popular members, at one time gracing the cover of Men's Health magazine.

He was also among the most prolific fundraiser in the Republican Party.

As he rose to the status of a celebrity in the halls of Congress, Schock also acquired a lavish lifestyle.

He stayed in luxury hotels, ate in expensive restaurants and flew on private jets.

His resignation after seven years in politics marks the rise and downfall of a promising young star in Capitol Hill and in the roster of the Grand Old Party.

TagsAaron Schock, U.S. Congress