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Updated at 2 p.m. ET: Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has signed papers in a plea deal with federal prosecutors in which he admits to violating campaign finance law, according to sources familiar with the case.
In the papers, signed within the past several days, Jackson admits converting campaign contributions for personal use. Some of the violations include using campaign funds for a $40,000 Rolex watch, travel expenses for a friend and furniture purchased for his Washington, D.C., home. Under the terms of the deal, Jackson's sentence would be decided by a federal judge and could range from probation to prison time.
Jackson resigned from the congressional seat he held for 17 years on Nov. 21, 2012, acknowledging a federal investigation and citing health issues.
"During this journey, I have made my share of mistakes," Jackson wrote in his resignation letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "I am aware of the ongoing federal investigation into my activities, and I am doing my best to address the situation responsibly, cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone. None of us is immune from our share of shortcomings or human frailties and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did right."
Those with knowledge of the investigation say some loose ends have yet to be resolved, including questions surrounding whether Jackson's wife, former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, will also be charged in connection with the case. During her husband’s political career Sandi Jackson regularly received a $5,000 a month check as his political consultant, according to NBCChicago.com.
Even before his resignation, Jackson had made plenty of headlines for his mysterious absence from Congress for much of 2012. It was later revealed the son of famed civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson had sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder.
Jackson’s resignation came just 15 days after winning re-election to his Chicago-area district by a 40-point margin. President Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) both endorsed Jackson during his primary battle with former Rep. Debbie Halvorson.
Jackson won eight full terms in Congress after winning a special election in 1995.
NBC's Chief Justice Correspondent Pete Williams and Mary Ann Ahern of WMAQ in Chicago contributed to this report.
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Winning.
I do believe some one just went to jail for this . Is he going to be different
A manipulating sleazy rascal, just like his father. Probably won't go to jail because he's a friend of Obama, and his adulterous father will claim racism, but he should go away for a long time.
It took long because if his fake sickness to try to cover up. I hope he gets it good in Federal Jail. Hope they get his dad also an any family of his. This shows how corrupted this family is and they speak of Martin Luther King!
He's bipolar alright. Can't decide whether to steal with his left hand or the right.
Translation: his hoe on the side.
Sure, that's always the answer; throw the brother in jail!
That's where criminals belong no matter if he is a brother, sister of anyone else. After all, waht does race matter. It only matters to a racist.
And your point?
Another crooked Democrat? WOW ...who would have thought it. And from Illinois to boot. Well, now you know why the country is in such a mess as well.
Please don't lump all people from Illinois together. Chicago is the problem and the rest of us in Illinois have to live with the fallout, increased taxes, gun control issues ....
jim---You are right. I should have been more selective in my wording perhaps. But then again I grew up in Illinois and getting out was the best thing I have done. Many of the problems they had back in the '70's, one of which is unemployment, still remain. Then add to that the taxes that they impose on the people and the companies makes it difficult at best to keep jobs and people. So if some like yourself are unhappy with all this and the fact that Chicago is a bit too liberal then do something about it by voting. It seems Illinois has about 13 million people so if you take away the population of Chicago of about 3 million, there should be enough voters to change the political landscape by about 10 million people and even if you throw in Springfield at about 117,000 and even East St. Louis at about 27,00 that that would not be enough to alter this scenario. So maybe there are more people there voting to keep the status quo than you think.
Watch how by some miracle, he is now cured ! What complete Bull Crap. Prison time for corrupt Politicians and no plea bargins. No double standards for the rich well connected and the poor !
From the evidence we know about, looks like he was busy representing himself like most of the other trash elected to "serve us ".
Absolutely correct. If we want a more responsive Congress, we need to reelect less than half of them every time.
FORWARD... To Jail
Start putting these thieves in jail.
Betcha anybody in the world, this pos will not serve one day of jail time, any takers???????
I wouldn't take that bet....no way he goes to jail.
He should, but he won't.
Out of congress and now hopefully to jail, but if he signed a plea, jail is probly out of the question.
I would bet the Farm (if I had a Farm) and everything that goes with it that Jackson doesn't get one day in prison, and,and, that he doesn't have to pay back one red cent. After all, he is a "Minority". And I would also bet that if he ran again for office he would win. Remember Marion Barry and the former mayor Nagel of louisiana. They should put Jackson in prison with Blagoivich.
My money is on probation and community service. Regardless of how crooked you are when you are black, can claim a mental disorder, have Jesse Jackson as a father and its Chicago this is a career booster.
And if he had been a Republican, the article would have mentioned that 15 times.
Another Chicago criminal. I am sure his father is pleased that he is following in his footsteps.
He will be pardoned by Obama
yeah because President Obama has pardoned so many people during his term! Oh yeah thats right none...just pulled this comment straight from the rectum HUH?
He didn't pardon during his first term because he was running for re-election !
Wait and see what happens in act II
This is to good there is a Santa clause
Gold Rolex watches are the bane of black America and should be outlawed.
...that applies to anything too shiney.
Sort of like the do guns in Chicago?
Gotta love those chicago politicians! Hope he goes to jail.
Junior is just following in the steps of his old man....
He is one of these so-called"above the law" people. And it is funny that those people are all at the top positions in the country, who don't need money but never have enough. Is it the exitation of cheating or are they just standard low class thieves.
Just another fine example of a Obama follower, don't you think ? So many of those folks are into criminal activity, but when you live in Wash DC, and some other eastern cities, what's new ?
so stupid!
Jesse Sr.: "Son, I told you to steal the spotlight, not the spare cash."
Just one of many in a long line of politcal scum.
If Barry had a son, he'd definitely look and act like JJ Jr., for sho'!