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Gary Cameron / Reuters
Former Chicago congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. enters the U.S. District Federal Courthouse in Washington on Wednesday.
Former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday morning to misusing more than $750,000 in campaign cash on private expenses -- including a $43,000 Rolex, Blu-ray players, health clubs, lavish vacations, furs, and a slew of luxury goods.
Jackson, who resigned three months ago to reportedly get treatment for bipolar disorder and clinical depression, will face time behind bars when he is sentenced this summer.
"For years I lived off my campaign," Jackson said in court as he fought back tears. "I used money that should have been for campaign purposes for personal purposes."
Jackson accepted charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements. The embattled Democratic lawmaker reportedly agreed to a negotiated plea recommending a sentence of between 46 and 57 months and a fine in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. But prosecutors reserve the right to argue for a harsher punishment, including the maximum sentence of five years in prison.
All parties agree that Jackson would not be eligible for probation when he is sentenced June 28.
"I'm not bound by the sentencing guidelines," Judge Robert Wilkins said. "The sentencing guidelines are advisory and they are something I am bound to consider."
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By way of explaining his decision to plead guilty, Jackson said, "I have no interest in wasting the taxpayers' time or their money."
"I'm guilty, your honor," a visibly emotional Jackson said.
Admitting that he took money received in political contributions, former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., pleaded guilty in federal court to misusing campaign cash for personal expenses. NBC's Pete Williams reports.
Jackson and his wife siphoned off $580,000 from the campaign war chest for a wide range of credit card transactions, including $60,857.04 at restaurants and lounges and $31,700.79 for airfare.
The bevvy of pricey goods Jackson allegedly bought with campaign funds also include a $4,600 fedora from Michael Jackson's collection, a $1,500 cashmere cape, and a pair of mounted elk heads from a Montana taxidermist priced at $8,000.
According to the court filing, other purchases included "high-end electronic items, collector's items, clothing, food and supplies for daily consumption, movie tickets, health club dues, personal travel and personal dining expenses."
As he exited the courtroom, Jackson, who left office last November after 17 years in his post, opened up to a reporter.
"Tell everybody back home I'm sorry I let 'em down, OK?" he reportedly said.
Jackson's attorney, Reid Weingarten, told the judge that he plans to make the case at this summer's sentencing hearing that his client's mental health conditions might be mitigating factors.
"That's not an excuse. That's just a fact," Weingarten said outside the Washington, D.C., courtroom, adding that he anticipates Jackson will rebound and have "another day," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, pleaded guilty three hours after her husband's hearing to a single charge for filing false tax returns and reporting less income than she accrued. The charge comes with a maximum prison sentence of three years.
But Sandi Jackson's lawyer, Tom Kirsch, said a negotiated plea recommends a more lenient punishment, according to NBC Chicago. Her case Wednesday afternoon was heard by the same judge who presided over her husband's hearing.
Sandi Jackson resigned in January from her post as Chicago's 7th Ward alderman.
The couple was joined in court by Jackson's father, civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson; his brothers, Jonathan and Yusef; his sister, Santita; and Sandi sister, Tina.
Rev. Jackson on Monday said his son still struggles with mental illness and remains under "tight medical supervision."
"During this difficult and painful ordeal, our family has felt the impact of your prayers and calls," Rev. Jackson said. "So many ministers have reached out to us, and we thank you. The hurt in this valley is indescribable."
Jackson's guilty plea caps off a dramatic downfall. At the apex of his political career, Jackson was a leading figure in the Democratic Party establishment, serving as a national co-chairman of President Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and as a surrogate for other high-profile politicians.
This story was originally published on Wed Feb 20, 2013 5:08 PM EST
Leave a Comment:
I respect that he has not done like most politicians and stonewall hoping to get out of trouble. I have one question though. Where did he get the idea he could do illegal things and get away with it?
A maximum sentence should be handed out to all criminal politicians. It is time for these politicians to start working "for the People" and not for themselves!
I think they should get a harsher sentence. They are supposed to be working for the people and leading by example.
Lets set an example and set there Punishments to be twice what it would be for a private citizen then maybe they will get the Message that we are sick and tired of this double standard of Politicians getting off easy.
I also believe that any public servent that gets convicted of a crime should be barred from public service for life. It should also extend to Congress and any Representative that gets found guilty of ethics violations.
In Five years he will apologize and have "another day"?
From Daddy, I'm sure. How many times did Feisty vote for him?
We can hope this worthless POS is removed from polite society for a very long time. But I'm not holding my breath.
Time to get a bunch of white guys in suits with glasses and armbands and rally a march about "taking our city bacK" or something along those lines.
They should publicly electrocute him simply for buying a $5,000 a fedora.
I find it comical that this guy is always talking about the rich paying their "fair share" while he and his wife steal and evade taxes.
Time to "Clean out the Swamp" of the rest the gang.
Yep, they would probably all say as a defense: "I didn't have the mental capacity to block my transgressions".
Maybe Mr. Obama should "re-think" his "Fair Share" agenda. Wait a minute....those rich folks are the ones he rubs elbows with.
Then again, MAYBE the IRS will finally take to Federal Court those 41 Obama White House staffers, and some of their aides, along with HUNDREDS of "elite" Congressional Representatives and HUNDREDS of government workers who have FAILED TO PAY THEIR BACK TAXES.
the mayor of d.c. got caught smoking crack in a hotel room with a prostitute lost his job as mayor came to fla., was rehabbed at hanley hazelton clinic in west palm beach. He then returned to d.c. where the good citizens forgave him and re-elected him to office where he repeated his unfortunate cycle of addiction. I guess we truly do get the kind of government that we deserve.
ALL politicians do what he did..only difference is..he got caught!
From Daddy.
Daddy is the shakedown extortion king. Junior is just branching out to new territory.
David Noah
Ditto to that. That is why the Founders added "HIGH crimes and misdemeanors" to the Constitution. They are to be held to a higher standard. Unfortunately, the true meaning and the consequences have been watered down by modern politician.
ET. AL.
Of course today, if they were to enforce it the way it was meant. We'd have to prosecute nearly all the Politicians, not that, that would be bad thing.
Here is an article that describes it pretty well, and Wikipedia has some good history on it as well, although it is more general in nature
I hope that was sarcasm. If not I am sure the D in D.man stands for douche....
glad he plead guilty and save tax payers money. the max is 5 years... So which is worse stealing $ or voter fraud... or equally bad?
One Washington crook down, 2000 more to go...
Ho hum... Yet another Democrat crook from Chicago.
I CANNOT believe that MSNBC actually ran this story. Won't be up here for long!!!
Ido
Time to "Clean out the Swamp" of the rest the gang
Remember when Nancy Pel-o-c said "we are going to drain the swamp"
Ya right.
Hello folks, why do people remain in the illusion that politicians are noble and ethical people. If history has shown us anything it is that they legislate for the people who put the most money in their pockets. Hell, our laws are geared to facilitate the hijacking of the American political process. Look at Citizens United and lobbyists. Montana tried to legislate the money out of politics and the Supreme Court shot them down.
Citizens United lets big corporations spend unlimited amounts of money, in secret and without accountability, so politicians answer to them instead of voters.
We've lost our way when corporations are people, money is free speech, and politicians are for sale to the highest bidder.
We've already seen the outcome: big corporations get massive taxpayer handouts, lax safety regulations, and take away the rights of workers while sticking American families with the bill.
The American people won't catch a break until we have a government by and for all of us not bought and paid for by Wall Street, Big Oil, and corporate lobbyists.
We are no longer the "Beacon on the hill" as we have fallen in to the ways of corruption and despotism and we have nobody to blame but ourselves as we have allowed this to happen. Through our apathy we breed this behavior.
So he pleads guilty to stealing campaing contributions and his wife plead's guilty to tax evasion. Why is he not on the hook for the tax evasion as well? The returns were joint returns, meaning he signed them. How many times did he vote for tax increases in his political career while avoiding to pay the full amount he owed. This hypocit is getting off far too easy.
Jesse Jr. is just another scumbag like his old man. I hope that Chicago wakes up one day and cleans house, but with people like Feisty, there's not much hope. Sure wish we could clean up DC and rid ourselves of Obama too! And as for him being sorry, he's sorry he got caught, not sorry for keeping the money.
No one noticed his "mental illness" during all this time? His attorney states he's not using the mental illness as an excuse, but as fact. So then what's his point? Leniency?
Who here would begrudge one of "our finest elected politicians" his cashmere cape? C'mon people, you can't get into the capitol building without one......
Al Sharpton is awful quiet!
Turd - It doesn't matter which is worse. The Democrats are guilty of both all the time.
Obama pardon before leaving office .....
trustverify - it always amuses me when people like you rail on about "corporations, big oil. blah, blah, blah" but very carefully leave out unions which operate the EXACT SAME WAY.
Unions, both private and public, wield enormous political power and have done enormous economic harm to the country. I don't want THEM to have the power they do anymore than I do big corporations etc.
And in fact, my personal finances are much more negatively impacted by public unions than by anything big corporations do. My property taxes are through the roof and a good deal of the blame for that can be laid squarely at the feet of our public unions here in NJ.
Politicians should be held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens and the justice system should hand out sentences thusly. They were elected to be trusted but unfortunately this is never ever the case...
he will be running for Senate or POTUS in few years....no sarcasm intended........just sayin
It's no wonder Jr. was in such a depression. He was probably thinking of shower day at the prison. It's always the new guy that has to pick up the soap.
The only thing Jr. is sorry about is that he got caught. Coming from Chicago, he's certainly presidental material.
He won't go to prison. He'll go back to Chicago and get a job as a community organizer now. In Chicago what he did is not a crime at all....they call it business as usual!!
For a Chicago Democrat politician, going to prison for fraud is a resume ENHANCER!
He's not half the man his father is. His dad got away with a lot more and is still free.
We all know some republican ratted him out. Those rat ba$tards.
Well now, isn't that so noble of him to simply plead guilty and save all us taxpayers a bunch of money. Isn't it funny how getting caught changes things!!!
grilled cheese. You are very right about unions. I was a member of the UTU for 12 years. After I became a Locomotive Engineer I joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. It's funny really. A few years back the President and Vice President of the United Transportation Union were thrown in Federal Prison for corruption and fraud. Then not soon afterward the President of the BLE was thrown in Federal Prison for the same thing. The rumor at the time was the UTU narked on the BLE to get even with them. The BLE is now part of the Illustrious Teamsters union. It's now called the The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Teamsters. All I can say is "Follow the Money". They were big supporters of Mr. Jackson and Osama Obama. Go figure. Thieves, liars, and frauds supporting thieves, liars, and frauds. Sometimes I wish Reagan was still alive to give some advice about this.
The Union leaders were taking cash payments for allowing lawyers to use the UTU and BLE names. A UTU approved lawyer gets all of the injury suits for conductors. The BLE approved lawyer gets all of the injury suits for Locomotive engineers. That designation is worth 100's of Millions of dollars. I wonder where they spend all of that injury suit money. Surely they don't donate to worthy causes like the election of Corrupt Chicago Democratic Machine Politicians.
Jackson's problem is he was watching what the Republicans do !!!
No problem. I'm sure there's enough in the campaign coffers to cover this fine. ;-)
seaskip..........maybe he was watching what MOST politicians do!!
No stonewalling...hows a trip to mayo clinic faking illness, hoping for sympathy?
Uh, he is sorry that he got caught. With a Daddy like his the apple did not fall far from the tree.
Yeah Veeco MSNBC is so biased in favor of the left that they run a McCain headline every day.
TrustVerify, #1.18- GREAT! post! I LOVED the opening line!!! Got REALITY CHECK?
MISREPRESENTATION: involves the use of fraud and "deceit" for personal gain. It includes several elements:
1) Misrepresentation of facts or conditions with knowledge that they are false or made with the reckless disregard for the truth.
2) Intent to induce another to rely on the misrepresentation.
3) Justifiable reliance by the deceived party.
4) Damages suffered as a result of reliance.
5) Casual connection between the misrepresentation and the injury suffered.
FRAUD: Any misrepresentation, either by misstatement or omission of a material fact, knowingly made with the intention of deceiving another and on which a reasonable person would and does rely to his or her detriment.
From Business Law Today (Second Edition), West Publishing Company (St Paul - New York - Los Angeles - San Franscisco)
It is apparently a hereditary affliction..............he got it from his father.
Jackson did stonewall, all of 2012 he was doing a faked personality disorder routine after this came up.
As a Democrat, I'd like to see this piece o K-rap get the max. $750 K & the most they can do is 5 years. Hell I know people that got 5 years for simple possession of a baggie of weed. The wife is a thief also & should face the max. These people, like their daddy, think the law is for other folks. Just to bad they can't take away the whole family all at the same time.
Judge Wilkins was appointed by Pres. Obama. Will he bite the hand that feeds him and do the right thing ? We shall see........
Got to respect a man that admits his guilt..... now will he accept his punishment & will it be more than a slap on the wrist?
Correction to post #1.41, #5)- it's "Causal", not "Casual". TYPO, not an intended deceptive loophole or anything, OH MY!
TrustVerify
how about we look at Soros , Move on , and union money buying candidates?, oh I see , you just "forgot" to list those in your leftist libby diatribe
MysterySomething
your king Obobo would fall right into your "fraud" take , as his entire Rape America Healthcare Scam was presented by fraudulent means...interesting eh?
If only "The Thief and Liar Jessie Jackson Jr". took lessons from ol' Dick Cheney and went hunting with his father...
I know allot of people that would love to have 2-3 million dollars and would gladly do 2-3 years in prison to have that when they got out.
Justice has not been served here at all...Justice is he looses every asset he has, banished from any public office for life and 10 years in prison. Once released is on parole for 10 more years.
You screw over your fellow citizens of your state and nation, while in public office, and you should get totally jacked up so you can never recover beyond a simple life.
That is my personal "opinion".
Regardless of party, race, sex, or religion, this applies to everyone and all.
But hey...one can only dream now....the hope is long gone....
I'm shocked! Shocked not because Jr. stole campaign funds to accessorize himself and his wife with pricey items like fedoras, furs and Rolex watches. After all he is the Reverands son. Im sure that daddy tught him how to shake down donors and that he was entitled to sa lavish lifestyle. After all, he was helping the people! The only shocking thing about this story is that he got caught and actualy convicted.
I wonder if he’ll still get his government pension for all the good work he did? Of course he will. I’m equally confident that once he gets out of jail he will again run for the same congressional seat and win.
What has happened to those who destroyed the US economy and world economy, leading to trillions of dollars of lost wealth?
No charges? no convictions? Why?
There Democrats, and didn't follow JJ Jr. Should listen to President Obama say it without saying it and blame it on everybody else.
The Democrats are guilty of both all the time.
Us and Them
And what if it wasn't, how is it different than a bunch of black guys doing the same thing? Which I am pretty sure is what he was parodying.
And I agree, $5K for a fedora? The man needs to be electrocuted, or at least some shock therapy. ;-)
Pigotry said:
You mean Barney Frank and Chuck Schumer? Don't you pathetic hypocrites on the left ever take responsibility for what you do without finding bullsh*t excuses or blaming others - uh Pig otry?
The only thing this a-hole is sorry for is that he got caught!!
Chicago - nuff said
Pigotry
Good Question, many of them were US Senators and Representatives too, even a US President or two.
But what do you expect from guys who make the laws, they just make them so what they do isn't illegal, it is only unethical.
And it all started with Jimmy Carter, but I doubt you understand that. My guess is you think it was all GW, and those rotten Republicans. Sorry deary, most of the housing mortgage mess lies at the feet of the Democrat Party. Do a little research on the on the Communities Reinvestment Act.
Where is fiesty? Strangely missing with her on going defence of the left.
Well folks, you can't spell Democrat without RAT.
He'll be back. He has too much potential!
Wow, really, no Feisty comments on this one; truly amazing. I guess some sleaze is even beyond her ability to excuse.
Huh? Didnt he pretend to be bi-polar and addicted to something for months? There's no room for understanding tolerating or forgiving this scumbag hang him high or be prepared for more just like him to follow wth are you ppl thinking. get rid of these losers.
You will never be able to set harsher sentences for their crimes, they make the laws and set the punishment. Why do you think he will only get a $10k fine and 4+ years. That's not even close to what a citizen would get. He will more than likely do his time in his home also or most of it any way.
Its that damn sense of entitlement...
I just want to know when Barry is going to plead guilty to fraud too!
Well, the good news for him is that when he gets out of prison (if he goes), he will have a job lined up already at MSNBC!
I believe they, (Dodd & Fwank) retired.....
You tell me Piggy, this would have been after the 2008 election.......
It's not a stretch to compare Jesse Jr and Sandy to Obama and Michelle is it? The latter pair have the media and richer friends though! Tougher nuts to crack!
Tell everybody back home I'm sorry I got caught OK?
Yeah. Don't you love it when worthless criminals like this say "I'm sorry this happened" like some spaceship came down and did something bad and he (the worthless criminal) was just inconveniently in the area at the wrong time.
Sounds like Mr. Jackson should have told everyone that he was just on a hiking trip to the Appalachian Mountains. That would go over well.
They're only sorry they were caught.
you hit the nail of the head...XD
Like father like son I say. He learned from a master bigot and shakedown artist. He is now trying to hide behind a faked mental illness. Anyone who believes a word out of his or his father's mouth is the person who needs some help from a mental health professional.
But why would his constituents keep electing him to office if he were crooked?
Republicans showed Jesse how to do it than turned him in, I wouldn't expect anything less from a Republican !!!
Avg Joe........IT'S @!$%#CAGO!!!!
sea skip.....of course they did............
@Seaskip- TRIPLE J didnt need republicans to show him anything, he learned his craft and trade from a true democratic do gooder liberal like yourself, his daddy. Does that solve your issue for the day, or do we need a sheet of self stick gold stars for ya boy.
Where were the hoards of media that would have been there is this had been a republican? Did Obama and Daddy tell them to stay home? Or are they just scared that if they showed they would be shunned by Obama?
No they are afraid they are going to be called racist! Remember everything Jessie says is race, you are against the black man you set up my son because he is a black politician helping his people. The Black Caucus in Washington will be involved in this just wait.
i'm wondering how the contributors to jacksons campaign reacted to seeing mrs. jackson arriving for court appearance in her full length mink coat. she should stash that coat til this blows over. and it will blow over and they will return to their lavish life style and it will be business as usual.
Far be it from me to defend Mrs. Jackson, but that was not her in the coat. I did find it tasteless, though.
Where's Feisty bonehead on this one?
You wonder for a second how someone so stupid made it into office. But then you don't.
In your head you want to think the government is honest. A second later you remember all the stories of stealing, trading favors, dishonesty, sex scandals, and abuse of power.
It's like "Our government is good. Oh wait, no it's not."
He probably only has to stay in jail until Obama leaves office and hands out Pardons. That's only like, 3 years.
Yep, Mr. Jackson will be on Mr. Obama's "short list" for pardons.
Maybe Mr. Jackson could join up with Mrs. Clinton on her "talking tours".
Now I better understand why people like Jackson want to agressively tax the rich. Who would want to spend their own money on a $5,000 hat and a $30,000 watch when you can get taxpayers to do it.
To understand how he made it into office you only have to examine the voters who placed him there. When half your constituents have criminal backgrounds, and 90% of your constituents have relatives with criminal backgrounds, criminals like the Jacksons don't even have to spend their campaign funds on getting elected.
Source please, ohwow?
"Source please, ohwow?"
Easy. The albility to read, and to use one's eyes.
Half the constituents have criminal backgrounds.
Hey, that's nothing. When you guys came over and stole the country, then built it on the backs of slave labor (you know, no pay, murder, rape) and reaped all the benefits, 100% percent of you and your offspring became criminals. Thus, all of your constituents are too.
really?that is the dumbest comment I have ever heard ,blame the white man lol
spike-322306; I have the ability to read and use my eyes. Hey, I've even developed some critical thinking skills and try not to use sweeping generalizations when referring to any particular district in the messed up state that is Illinois.
I am thinking, spike, that perhaps you do not live anywhere near this district. There are parts of the district that are beautiful. And there are also people with the same ability to read and use their eyes that I have and we have known all along that he is a crook. We didn't want that stupid little airport he kept trying to shove down Peotone's throat (even when it wasn't part of his district) and we resented the heck out of his implications that he knew what was best. Furthermore, we could see all the land out that way being held in a blind trust of one kind or another.
Yes, spike, we read and have critical thinking skills and astute powers of observation. We didn't vote for this guy, but, democracy being what it is, the majority rules. So we were stuck with him.
Got anything else?
He will still get the congressional pension and lifetime medical benefits. He's set for life with no financial or medical benefit worries.
Where is Feisty and Bev in Chicago?
I bet Bev elected this crook.
JC! The moron is going to jail. Knock off the crap, Maobama. You are only perpetuating the divide. I think we can all agree that our political system and most running it are not as clean as the driven snow. They all put their hands in the cookie jar and try to get away with whatever they can. It's called narcissism. The new GOP golden boy Rubio is not innocent either, so there I am perpetuating it as well. Can't we just all agree that we need to hold people accountable no matter what party they are in and stop bashing each other? Most of these people have no allegiance to their constituents and we all know it.
Mao ...
How's that glass state you live in? By the way, what state do you live in so we can "guess" who you voted for?
Yeah, no kidding, Layton. I live in Alaska and I am embarrassed that we unleashed Sister Sarah onto the rest of the country, but hey it is what it is. I sure as hell did not vote for that idiot to be my governor, no matter what her party affiliation.
Feisty lives in Roselle, if we are to believe her. Roselle is a northwest suburb of Chicago, where there are no poor people and only a few token black people. Jackson represents the south side and the south suburbs where the people are mostly poor and black, the schools are failing and the gangs run the place. Corrupt politicians like Jackson and his predecessor Mel Reynolds ( convicted for child molestation) get elected promising to bring home more "free stuff" for their constituents. Meanwhile, the district rots, teachers unions rule, the kids don't learn anything, and businesses and people with brains flee to other lands.
It is very easy for well off liberals living far way from the ghetto to advocate for solutions when they don't have to live with the results.
FLYeisty is a Wisconsin transplant to Illinois. She was raised with roots of Progressive-ism and landed in the roots of "the Dark Side". The roots mix so well together.
Layton,
You have me pegged all wrong. I live in the liberal mecca of Minneapolis, MN. The state that has voted blue in every General Election since 1972.
I am a political dissident in the Northstar State.
Bev and Fisty are just electronic robots,,,, DNCNBC have not plugged them in yet today.
Mao - I feel sorry for you. Not only in the "Progressive" belt but you also have to contend with all those Viking fans... Geaux Pack Geaux!!!
Alaska girl - I bet you turn down all that oil money to don't you? The fact is the lady you hate was able to get the Oil n Gas companies to properly pay royalties to the the state like they were suppose to. Yes those evil oil and gas companies that you progressive's hate so much. It took a republican to and a woman you hate to look past her party and do what was right for Alaska.
Maybe you should move to Minneapolis where the Progressives rule.
Well, Well, Well. Another Corrupt Democratic Machine Politician and his equally corrupt wife are going to jail. I wonder why the Feisty Obamaho is not on the site today. Oh wait, she can't sing and dance around this one. Of course they are going to say "It's not his fault. He is a victim of his illness. He deserves to do less time." If this judge doesn't throw the book at both of them then that tells a great deal all by itself!
JJ and his wife are criminals. They admit they are criminals. Their only regret is that they got caught! Hey feisty Obamaho from Roselle where are your quick wit and scathing words today? What's wrong the cat got your tongue? My wife was raised in Streamwood and then Hoffman Estates. She thinks Osama Obama is a thief and a liar. So does the rest of downstate Illinois. Of course his buddy JJ got caught.
YOU CAN'T CURE STUPID!
Alaska girl - You didn't unleash Sister Sarah on us, McCain did. He went from being a war hero to someone willing to commit a near traitorous act by potentially placing the country a weak old heartbeat away from having a fool in the white house, in an irresponsible, desperate attempt to pick up some votes.
Still he gets headlines every day from the supposedly left biased media.
Mao,
I'd change places with you in a heartbeat. I live in a Red for Life state and I'm sure they'd love to have you. (Utah).
By the way, I find it so INTERESTING on a thread about Jesse Jackson, the comments with the most votes are those that are about Feisty or Bev. Obsess much some of you?????
Bubba give me a break. We've been getting that little stipend every year for many years, long before Sister Sarah came along. She did what she did because she had to prove to her constituents that she could play hard ball with the oil companies, so yeah, they gave up a little bit of money to keep the masses happy. A drop of oil in the vat for those vultures. Yeah, a half term governor is just what every state needs. She is a traitor to her home state, and we will never forget that, and she knows it. And, I'm not just talking about the Dems here. I know plenty of Republicans in this oh so red state who feel the very same way.
Theo, you are right, but actually McCain, in hindsight, took her off our hands. Best thing she ever did was to quit her job after they lost the election in 2008 and take her little side show on the road. It really opened alot of peoples eyes as to how much of a moron she is.
Damyou: In case you haven't figured it out, Layton and I are fellow "libtards", and damned proud to be! Oh, "thesbians"? What's the matter, tough guy, you afraid to say what you really mean? I say what I mean. You are a pussy.
I saw Feisty and her minions on the McCain facing backlash for his pro amnesty to illegals thread. Guess which side they came down on. If you said pro-illegal and the giving away of our country...ding ding ding, you'd be right.
Sorry I let you down dad, you taught me every thing I know.
Only thing you and your wench are Sorry about...YOUR BUSTED
I'm beginning to think that Illinois hasn't seen an honest politican for about 150 years. Although I sympathize for the fact that he has been diagnosed with bi-polarism, it's no excuse for basically bilking the tax payers out of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Hopefully Mendendez will be exposed for the slime he is as well.
I think Menendezes day is coming. Liking underage sex workers is as cheap as it gets. Maybe he had some secret service with him? who Knows
Bi-Polar my butt! The mental-midgit was just 'Confused': He lost daddys rule-book!!
Another Chicago crook gets what he deserves. Unfortunately it took way too long!! Boy Chicago you sure can pick some winners.
And the crooks, gang bangers, robbers and crooked politicians sing with smiles,,,, Chicago----Chicago---my kind of town.
Ah, so corruption does run in both parties. Illinois and Chicago politics at its finest, maybe he and Blgo can be cell mates!
Chicago is not called Windy city because of the prevailing wind but because of wind in politics and speeches. You know you are in Chicago when there is a lot of hot speeches in the air and a lot of hot air in the speeches. Also apples dont fall far from the tree.
Toast 'dis alleyape & slap 'is daddy for the 'upbringing'!
He is only keepin it real like big daddy shakedown
Lessismore says "Toast this alleyape"
Whats an alleyape?
Any relaiton to a racist clwon?
No, sound-it-out: He's too dumb to be a 'Yard ---' or a 'Street ---'!
Lessismore: Sound this out: M O R O N.
Your mother must be very proud to have raised a racist pig. Kiss your mother with a mouth like that? Shame on you.
He'll get a 30day suspended sentence. So will his wife. I'm wondering how they will be returning the money?
They are going to work for Rahm,,, they will "make" good money.
Who said anything about returning the money? It says in the article that they'll be fined between 10 and 100,000 dollars... out of the $750,000 they stole... over 600K profit. that's fair isn't it? (this is sarcasm, for those of you who can't recognize it)
You know, if you have to say it's sarcasm....
Zappa. They will join there Daddys Gang, and help Daddy shake down Corporations and rich people. He and his wife should go to a real prison and never get out, and take there Daddy with them. I jus wish that one time his Daddy would try to shake me down, that would be great.
Interaffairs- yes, unfortunately in this day and age it often needs to be pointed out, due to poor reading comprehension by many people. Half of them will think you really mean it. Did you have a point to make, or just trolling?
Not his fault,his Mentor was the likes of his Pappy,jesse jerkamo jackson.Am I a Racist,YES. And I'm BLACK
The only thing black about you is your soul.
Bayez Eventually someone on this News vine will always pull out the race card.
Very nice to see a person of color who sees the Jacksons for what they really are. criminals and bigots.
People like you and me can enjoy the racist practice of associating with other people that are the same as us . That does not make us hateful to other races nor does it make me want to deny anyone else anything they have earned. I have always worked , took care of my wife , raised our children together to be proud of who they are .
As for you being racist , I dought you are as racest as most people that holler " Racism " every time they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar . Those people make it harder for an honest person to get the respect they deserve .
If we ever get around to flushing the DC toilet , I hope we get some of these big city politicians as well .
He was raised in the family business and he thought all the money was his to spend.
Do you know that the judge in this case is a personal friend of Jesse Jackson Sr.?
There should be no favorable treatment towards the Jacksons. They should be punished just like everybody else would be.
Why sorry, just say "Bush's fault". You will win 2016 presidency.
Or you could win by having the majority, who are sick of the other party, vote for you.
The only thing that the Jacksons are Sorry about, is that they are Sorry that they got Caught.
Wait for it....wait for it.....can you say presidential pardon. Mark my words, birds of a feather stick together. What a joke!!
Greg,,,,,,,,,,Couldn't agree more!!!! I will add to that by saying Blago will have a Presidential Pardon also. Blago Boy has been awfully quiet. He claimed he was going to tell all and name names. Seems the "party" told him to "Shut Up" do some time, your family will be taken care of, and OB will pardon you.
You know JJ Jr's old man is on his knees trying to take care of the "nuts" he wanted to cut off of Obama.
he's guilty??? shocker!!!!
So why do people elect a person with mental illness? Admitted mental illness. Vote for me, I'm mentally ill, what could possibly go wrong.
not sure what you mean..,because the mentally ill still have rights--as they should have(even though some ignorant,uneducated people don't think they should.)...(many mental illnesses & there are many,believe it or not-do not take away from their intellect-if anything-many,many of their IQs are much higher than the "normal" people-even though their is no such thing as "normal"...anyway-what i originally had to say was--isn't it a nice term(misusing funds)to use? i mean-didn't bernie madeoff "misuse"his clients funds?
sad that he didn't realize he was mentally ill until he got caught stealing,I wonder how many more of the people running our government suffer from that same illness. apparently most of them if you judge by the fact that many became millionaires several times over after their election. at least we can console ourselves with the fact that we have the best government money can buy!
HOPE he comes out soon to squander the democrat campaign funds of some more CHANGE!
....and he is one of the more "honest" politicians in that cesspool known as Chicago.....sink a little lower and you will get to Rahm....
Rahm or Obahm?
head of EPA just resigns and no sign of it on MSNBC hahaha