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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
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Jesse Jackson Jr., and his Father! With all due respect to the President, thank GOD his Father never won political office! Better JJ making 7 figure salaries off 501c3's! And his Son LIVIN LARGE off Campagin contributions! You talk about Repugnant! I really hope someday that African Americans will finally come back the Party of Lincoln, TR, Eisenhower, & Reagan, & won't ever be accused of being an Uncle Tom for doing so! That mentality in their Community is only destroying any sense of a DESIRE to do BETTER in life! God Bless!
The Republicans are hard at work.....doing what? Take a look:
The phony fight to blame President Obama for the sequester reaches new lows and now middle class Americans are only nine days from getting the shaft…again!
Four years after the stimulus saved us from a depression, Republicans are dragging us back into recession.
The man who gave the world Sarah Palin is getting destroyed by Tea Partiers in Arizona.
Mississippi finally gets around to banning slavery this month. Why’d it take so long?
Marco Rubio claimed to still live in a "working-class" neighborhood but his West Miami, 2,649 square foot home is on the market for $675,000.
To avoid expanding a health care program for the poor, Wisconsin's Republican governor is pushing indigent patients into a federal health care exchange that isn't designed to help them.
If you think the Republican war on women, specifically the campaign against Planned Parenthood diminished after last year’s electoral defeat, think (yet) again.
Planned Parenthood said Monday it will close four of its 27 locations in Wisconsin (in Beaver Dam, Johnson Creek, Chippewa Falls and Shawano) between April and July due to a lack of state funding.
Gov. Scott Walker and his Republican cronies in the legislature eliminated public funding for low-income and uninsured patients seeking reproductive health care at Planned Parenthood, the largest provider in the state, because some of its clinics offer abortions.
That means about 2,000 low-income residents who need cancer screening, breast exams, birth control, pregnancy test, or testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases may have to travel up to an hour to go to a location in another county.
That Obama asked for, and received.
You were saying?
Those 20% underemployed disagree with you.
$0.46 of every dollar the United States Spends is borrowed.
Here's Chris Rock's (and your?) 'daddy' speaking in his own words:
Before doubling the debt,refusing to cut entitlements, and overseeing the ONLY drop in the US credit rating in history.
If this is your definition of 'recovery' I shudder to think what a 'recession' looks like.
Gas is going up, Obama's getting ready to toss thousands of defense workers out on the streets.
.
Good, people who do not agree with abortion should not have to fund it with their taxes, especially when Planned Parent Hood aborts a little over 40% of black babies according to the CDC in a 2008 report.
Illinois is indigent, giving schoolchildren IOU's and this after raising taxes 67%, but maintaining the pensions of "players" that double and triple dip exorbitant retirement funding from the people.
the "progressives" liberals have exclusively had a chokehold on running Illinois (into the ground) it is their fault and theirs only.
This is a blue state, has been with no end in sight except default. Chicago's population outvotes the rest of the state quite easily.
@mtsr1 - You are right on! I am an Independent living in Illionis and I can't remember the last time my vote counted. Chicago democrats control the state and there ain't too much that can change that. Too many people living off the free ice cream and not about too vote that wants to curtail their freebies. Like they say, if you rob Peter to pay Paul you can rest assure you will get Paul's vote and the Democrat's have it down to a science in Illinois.
Now the Democrats will probably give Jesse Jackson Jr. the nomination in 2016.....
Hahaha of course they will. I don't know why anyone is surprised with Jesses. Its so typical and totally expected. Some people never let us down afterall. Thanks for the confirmation Jessezyyyyyyy
Bi-polar , my arse. The only thing he is sorry about is that his arse got caught. I repeat ; Where are JJ Sr...and Rev. Sharpton? junior is of no value to them any more...well, I don't think ever was of value. Is this all a conspiracy to have Rahm take the office after "an appropriate amount of time" as mayor. I think the only criteria is to be black, know how to steal, know how to disappear, and to know someone. what a minute Rahm knows nothing.
I'm shocked. A democratic scum-sucker goes down and feigns an illness. I suppose he'll show up with Mr. McGoo glasses on after falling and getting amnesia. Oh well, at least one more down in the total "D" clown pool.
I hope to see Mr. Jackson and his wife bounce back soon, from a mistake he has realized. His admittance shows strength and courage.
stop gulping !
I wonder if his 'strength and courage' will help him with Bubba.
I wonder if his 'strength and courage' will help him pay back the money he stole.
I wonder if his 'strength and courage' will help him find integrity.
I wonder if his 'strength and courage' will help his wife serve her time in prison.
I wonder what 'strength and courage' he has.
Did it take 'strength and courage' to steal from his constituents?
But now that I have thought about it. Jackson will get 5 years probation and NO JAIL TIME!
We are talking Chicago, after all.
Where the Democrat's favorite saying is "vote early and often"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jagZnnZv4vU
A chip off the old block, no surprise here he learned at an early age how to steal the spotlight and abuse public trust, he will do two months of hard labor at the lavish resort Club Fed, where he will golf with Bernie IMadeoffWith.
TOO BAD. He let AIPAC down too after an all-paid-for trip to the only aparthied-democracy in the Middle East. And the bigger joke is that he justified accepting the trip by saying that he will learn how to combat terrorism..........I am sure AIPAC wants its money back now............
Chicago 228 sq miles outvotes the rest of the state disenfranchising
Illinois 55519- 228 sq miles
~
Chicago should be the 51rst state or become Chicago D.C. like Washington D.C.
Maybe Obama was referring to Chicago when he spoke of 51 states...
Puerto Rico 52nd state... if they want it...
The only surprise here is that MSNBC actualy reported it.
But for the grace of God go I.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Now he is conveniently bi-polar.
This crook belongs in jail. Should have been there years ago. Mentally ill my ass, crack head...
Will his assets be sold to repay the debt (or has he hidden all of his property before he pled guilty?). 5 years is a cake walk.
His dad is probably holding the cash.
and we all know he tried to buy Obamas seat when it was vacant. What a crook
Misused $750,000 in campaign funds and is facing fines of $10,000 to $100,000 in fines. That works out to a profit of about $162,500 to $185,000 a year which ain't too shabby even for an Illinois politician. You would think the fines should at least equal the amount of money they illegally spent. What really is ironic is that he didn't even campaign for reelection while he was under treatment at Happy Jack's Tomato Ranch and still got reelected...but you have to remember this is Illinois politics at it's best.
and it really pisses me off how the politically correct maggots of the press avoid pointing out that minor detail, that the black....ohhhh, yes, I said it....black voters of his district reelected him despite the trivial detail of him being drilled on felony charges. black Chicago politics at its best. Meanwhile, back at Happy Jack's.....
I'm sure there are many others who haven't been caught. He must have wizzed in the wrong person's Cheerios!
Oh great, he's sorry for letting people down, and his excuse is his bipolar condition! Being bipolar has nothing to do with being a thief! Send him, and his wife, to jail - it'll make them better racist Democrats!
the bipolar condition probably came about as a way to get out of the mess he was in.
It may be time to start thinking about how certain people can afford to fly ever where, live in really nice houses, dress in great suits and eat atfine restaurants when they don't have a job. Quite a scam they have going to get people to give them money.
I wonder will he still get a congressional retirement check?
I think it's always difficult to be the son of a prominent man. It gives a person a glimpse of the trappings whether or not they have the stones to achieve the same things, and it does seem that sons usually don't. The pressure to live up to expectations they know in their hearts they aren't actually capable of must be unbearable. I think he deserves credit for pleading guilty, although I think his hospital stays were a way of delaying the inevitable. The only unconscionable thing is that people n Chicago still voted for him even after they knew this. That's the scary part.
Another FINE example of political "leadership" coming out of Chicago. What a hypocritical a-hole. "I have no interest in wasting the taxpayers' time or their money." REALLY??!! That's what you just got caught doing, you moron! I never thought I could say anything positive about Jessie Jackson Sr. but at least he's not stupid enough to get caught (yet).
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Apples don't fall far from trees. Daddy is an exploiting racial war monger and son is an unqualified waste of a vote. Awesome.
HiJackson be a righteous dude give him slack.