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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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Stop being racist guys, he's a product of his enviroment, he went to the seben eleben to get a slurpee and some skittles and couldnt help himself with the spending.
too bad he didnt have to walk through a gated community.
Yes, they are all a bunch of criminals! I'm soooo fed up with all of them, all they're in there for is the money, not for the good of the people of this country. I'm sure he wouldn't have apologized and been soooooo humble if he hadn't been caught. He would have just kept on taking the cash! People think we're just a bunch of idiots.
AAhhhh, The truth comes out at last.
Well shucks, imagine that.
Typical scumbag ...just like his old man!!
Mc paddy Ass hole thinks that it is funny to call the defacto 'leader of the free world' names.
I wonder how many times he has called his wife names, the guy in the next car names, his kids names, his co-workers names, his boss names.......
looking forward to seeing your kids head straight for that counter at 7/11 where they will work for the rest of their lives.
But it's ok for you to make comments about someone you disagree with children? How does your logic balance that?
If we could make it an act of treason with 20 years in prison and no parole for these crooks for accepting gifts, direct campaign contributions, bribes, vacations and misuse of govenrment taxpayers money then we could have an honest government, Theyalso need to apply it to the lobbyists and the CEOs of the companies that hire the lobbyists. Then make campaign money only comes from an annonymous pool that is evenly divided amongst those that run for office and what's leftover goes back to the pool.
If King Hussein Obama wanted to do an honest act he would see to it that this happened. But, as many of you have said he is part of the crooked Chicago bunch and won't do something to piss off his donors. He is as bad and probably worse at being dishonest than the others. He keeps people thinking about gun control and other distractions while he and his buddies rape the American people. I think it is about time we get off our apathetic asses and do something about them. Imeach them or recall them whatever it takes. This needs to apply to city and state government officials too.
Why does this not surprise me? Our Senators and Representatives are nothing but greedy money hungry slugs.
This is where our 16Trillion in debt it going. To their fur coats, mansions and toys.
Ok, enough kidding around about this subject, watch the movie Hunger Games and you will know where the country is headed, the crooked rich at the top of the ladder all in politics and the poor meaning we the people hunting each other down like dogs for their amusement.
Well we work our azzes off at our jobs get taxed to death for their spending pleasure. Get the point. Oh did I mention that Obama is also rich and not looking for money to pay the grocery bill, electric bill, and he sure doesnt worry about high gas prices,
So get off of the democrat, republican arguments they are all guilty of being greedy and a bunch of crooks telling the american people lies and not delivering promises.
And I suppose none of you every cheated on your taxes or if you gave a cashier a $10 and she gave you change for a $20.. no matter the amount cheating is cheating....
I haven't do you? I have several times given money back including change if they gave me too much back. frankie are you a LIBERAL? I ain't.
None of us are elected to a high governmental post where this isn't supposed to happen, I guess YOU have kept the change too, if you say no, you're no better.
Ditto...
May I clarify; I was responding to Cliff C's comment. I once got off of a 4 night 10 hour each night shift as an ICU nurse. I went grocery shopping, and wheeled by loaded cart of groceries out to my car with never paying. I realized when I was going to put the stuff in my car, that it was not bagged. No one was around, and I couldv'e put it in my car and driven off. Instead, I sheepishly went back to the store and paid for the items.
Oh, that's okay. There, there, he's a Democrat, so it's no problemo, because Democrats are the 'ethical' party. They do nice things and give me stuff. All I have to do is vote for them. It's easy! I don't have to use my brain because the government will do all the thinking for me. I trust government to stick it to the man and give me cash..... Now, shall I talk like Smeagol? 'Those evil Republicans! They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbits. Wicked, tricksy, false!'
too funny, good one.
I think all Dems are crooks not just Jessie. They steal are money and give it to others who do not deserve it.
He's a crook just like his old man!
Sorry sob just like his father! But then again all politicians are especially obami!
I read this the other day, and it seems to be appropriate when discussing any rogue politician:
What do they call bipartisanship in Illinois? When you have a democratic and republican politician in federal prison at the same time.
Looks like the maggot Al Sharpieis nowhere to be found.
Illinois just let one of the ex govs out of prison a couple days ago. Blago is still in. Make room for Jesse Jr and the whole entourage. What abouth the Chicago Mayor??? Must be laying low. Heck I vote Demo, but have to call it like it is. I'm from Illinois, but have upgraded to California lol.
Looks like the maggot Al Sharpie is nowhere to be found.
Assbama will pardon him....wait and see.
S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y?!!
looks like another mega-ego chicago politician going to prison. lovely.
Donald Rumsfeld quote, "What do you want me to do? Give it back?"
So why do I feel like Robert DeNiro in Casino, "let see, 25 grand for a watch and a few suits"....
A chip off the old block of SH!T that is old man.
Does this surpise anyone (given his lineage)?
Big government...big corruption.
Everybody needs to wake up, whether Republican, Democrat, or other...and realize that a big government means big trouble.
He will probably blame it on Bush or the NRA.