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Subscribe to RSSThe day after former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was charged with misusing campaign funds, the downfall of the once rising political star has shaken his hometown of Chicago. NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.
Federal officials filed charges Friday against Jesse Jackson Jr. after the former congressman reportedly signed a plea deal for allegedly improperly spending hundreds of thousands in campaign funds.
The paperwork was filed at the U.S District Courthouse in Washington. Jackson, who left the public eye last summer for treatment of bi-polar disorder and resigned from office in November, is not expected to make an appearance, but he offered a response in his first statement to the public in months.
Read the full indictment here in PDF
“Over the course of my life I have come to realize that none of us are immune from our share of shortcomings and human frailties," Jackson said in the statement released by the attorneys representing him in the federal probe.
"Still I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," he said. "To that end I want to offer my sincerest apologies to my family, my friends and all of my supporters for my errors in judgment and while my journey is not yet complete, it is my hope that I am remembered for the things that I did right.”
Among the items that Jackson is accused of purchasing with campaign funds:
- $10,000 worth of Bruce Lee Memorabilia.
- More than $20,000 in Michael Jackson memborabilia.
- Martin Luther King Memorabilia.
- Fur coats and capes and more.
NBCChicago reported last week that Jackson will plead guilty as part of his plea deal, and jail time would be in the hands of a federal judge who has not yet been assigned. Converting campaign contributions for personal use is strictly prohibited by federal law and opens Jackson up to “not more than 5 years” in prison.
Prosecutors will recommend a prison sentence for between 46 and 57 months plus fines, according to reports.
On Friday federal prosecutors charged the former congressman with misusing $750,000 in campaign funds. He is accused of purchasing several personal items including Michael Jackson memorabilia. NBC's Lester Holt reports.
Jackson's wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, has also been charged with falsifying her tax returns and reporting less income than she made.
Read the Sandi Jackson indictment here in PDF
Sandi Jackson has pleaded guilty to the tax offense, according to her attorney Tom Kirsch. The single charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 3 years, but Kirsh said the plea agreement calls for significantly less time.
"Today, Sandi Jackson reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to plead guilty to one count of tax fraud," reads a statement from her attorneys. "Ms. Jackson has accepted responsibility for her conduct, is deeply sorry for her actions, and looks forward to putting this matter behind her and her family. She is thankful for the support of her family and friends during this very difficult time."
Per the reported plea deal for Jackson Jr., he must repay the government hundreds of thousands of dollars for items such as a $40,000 Rolex watch, travel expenses for a woman he described as a “social acquaintance” and furniture purchased for his home.
Related coverage from NBCChicago
- Jesse Jackson Jr. signs plea deal In federal probe
- Comparing the Jackson families
- Candidates to Replace Jesse Jackson Jr.
Sandi Jackson resigned last month from her elected position as Chicago’s 7th Ward alderman. For years she received a $5,000 a month check from her husband as his political consultant.
Jackson Jr., the son of famous civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, has been the subject of a federal investigation into potential misuse of campaign funds since around the time he left office to seek medical treatment on June 10, 2012.
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So where’s Pigotry, Backhouse, Feisty Redhead, Beverly in Chicago & the rest of their pathetic lot? Their absence from these comment pages is deafening, hehehe!
Hiding under their desks...together...naked....UGLY.....all scrunched up together......conducting a courtesy visual colon examination on each other......VERY UGLY
too funny
They don't get paid to post on anything they can't blame on a republican.
They're all over at First Read crying about the Republicans holding up Hagel's nomination. I was already there and it made me want to puke!
This guy has demonstrated he has the qualifications and potential to be a career government employee and a rising star in the democrat party.
17 years in the House, I think he's already a career politician! When he gets out he can always run for mayor of D.C.
Yeah, TerryFromWeatherfordTX, I think it all started with them stealing watermelons and then evolved from there. What do you think?
Lock his _ss up now, send a message, and what is this Plea Deal, he is sorry for getting caught, that might explain his Stress problems. I bet his Daddy does not want to cut off Barracks parts now.
Don't worry daddy will come to your rescue and he might even pull farrakhan along with him.
OK, furs maybe but capes? come on who wears those these days ?
Fur capes are the "in" thing in Chicago gangster/politician show off this year.
Good ad for PETA's anti-fur stance...Pictures of JJ and wife covering their faces from the media with fur capes while entering the courthouse for sentencing.
***** Typical Democrat scumbag. Just like his father.
Great, Now put him in jail where he belongs
Gotta be someone elses fault. I am black man, can't you see that. We deserve what we steal.
Because, of course, white men have never stolen anything (America...Mexico...hint, hint).
No surprise here. If you took a close look at every politician you would find the same thing. It is the norm now a days so that makes it OK. What's the big deal, entitlement and denial are spreading like a disease!
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Scumbag.
Won't spend a day...........just because of who he is!
Like Father like son!
Here is another as s clown that gets away with stealing from the Govt. This article was printed in the Investor Bus. Daily. Al Sharpton " civil rights" leader and MSNBC host: Though he supports increasing taxes on the rich,Sharpton it seems, fails to do his part as a member of the 1 % . As of last year,according to the New York Post,Sharpton owed 3.5 million in state and federal income taxes. His non-profit ,The National Action Network , as of 2011 owes nearly $900k in unpaid federal payroll taxes...
Never Fear...Hussein or Rahm will ride in on their schit stained donkeys and rescue Jessie at the last minute........in exchange for, Ahem, silence in the Blago scheme. See No Evil (Jesse Jr.) Hear no Evil (Rahm) and Speak No Evil( Reverend Jeremiah Bullfrog Wright). And Barry?? : "I has misspoken, boss. I inherited this scandal from my predecessor, Mr. President Bush, my Superior".
LOL at MSNBC -- I can't find the word "Democrat" anywhere it the article.
You can bet if it is was a Republican -- you could have seen the word "Republican" in the headline and at least 50 more times in the article.
MSNBC is pathetic
Well put...
Yes, and in their earlier article about the former (Democrat) mayor of San Diego embezzling millions from a charity there was no mention of party either!
That rotten apple didn't fall far from the tree...
He's a crook just like his dad....
Ok Here comes Al Sharpton. I can see rioting and one hell of a March comin on! Save us all this drama and let him go.
I wonder how long it will be before the race card is played... you know, they singled him out because he's black....
Where is J.J.sr.on this?
LN1958362
Jesse will be on the prime time later, saying thats why a brother cant make it in politics, because the liberal media wont mind their own business. Its just a bunch of racist comments, his son wouldnt do these things.
probably with that other shake down artist al sharptin
Silence is golden on this one.
The Rev Sharpton is busy having one of JJ's wife's fur coats ( got it for a good price from one of the nurse's aides at JJ's Treatment center) altered to fit Tawahna Brawley; he still has to pay her off for her continued silence.
.
Good! Another piece of crap flushed down the proverbial toilet.
So...he's a lowlife, scumbag, crooked lying son of a bitch ? EXACTLY like his old man - no surprise here. The black community has ALWAYS been its own worst enemy and Dr. King must feel he's been on rotisserie (rolling in his grave) since his death. "Not by the COLOR of their skin, but by the QUALITY of their character"
Wow! ANOTHER politician from the crooked state of Illinois is facing federal time? I am so shocked! Who's next, Illinois and Chicago? It's no wonder that state and city can't balance a budget. The politicians are too busy spending the taxpayers' money. I'm sure the smart governor of Illinois will decide that more taxes will pay for Jackson Jr's "shortcomings"...Best of Luck Flatlanders! Lincoln would be so proud!
I remember back when rod blagojevich was under the micoscope for obamas sent seat... jacksons named was mentioned..before long he had a press conf....standing there give some arrogant speach on the audacity of people for bring up his name.chest all bowed up....i knew that jerk off was doing something wrong....well its like the saying goes you can take the person out of the hood..but you cant take the hood out of the person....he should be kissing the ground for that position he had......where is that dunce going to make that kind of money.....hope they fry his black ass lol lol
I only hope that the punishment is equal to Blagojevich's. He & his wife pleaded guilty awfully quick and are trying to stop the Fed into digging for more information.
Throw the bozo in the slammer. And no this isn't a racist comment. HE IS A CRIMINAL! I am sure daddy boy and uncle Al pal will be screaming racism and it's not his fault, he has a medical condition that caused this to happen (Of course we know that he inherited a gene called 'bats in the belfry')
Wow, I am not shocked - why would any of you?
Paying his wife $5k a month as a "political consultant"... what arrogant gall...
Betcha that he has done far more embezzeling than the indictment states, but cannot be immediately proven...
What a complete POS - but then again - what a complete polititian...
Jesse you raised him well, but forgot to stress the 'not to get caught' part...