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Jesse Jackson Jr. Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Misusing Campaign Cash

Feb. 20, 2013 11:38am
Jesse Jackson Jr. Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Misusing Campaign Cash

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. enters U.S. District Court February 20, 2013 in Washington, DC. Jackson and his wife, Sandi Jackson, are expected to plead guilty to federal charges after being accused of spending more than $750,000 in campaign funds to purchase luxury items, memorabilia and other goods. (Getty Images)

Former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to scheming to illegally spend $750,000 in campaign funds.

The guilty plea, to one felony count of conspiracy to commit false statements, wire fraud and mail fraud, had been expected. Court papers stated he used campaign money to buy a $43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch and $9,587.64 worth of children’s furniture. His wife, Sandra Jackson, was set to appear in court later on Wednesday on a charge of filing false joint federal income tax returns.

According to NBC Chicago WMAQ-TV, Jackson acknowledged the charges against him, which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Because of the plea, he is eligible for a lesser prison sentence of between 46 and 57 months and a fine between $10,000 and $100,000. Sentencing is not expected for several weeks, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Jackson resigned his congressional seat late last year after seeking prolonged treatment for bipolar disorder. According to NBC, when the judge asked whether his hospitalization affected his ability to understand the charges against him, Jackson said no.

“I fully understand the consequences of my actions,” Jackson said.

According to the Tribune, Jackson’s father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and other family members were present at the courthouse for the hearing.

​This post has been updated.

​The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments (61)

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  • jackact
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:50pm

    What about senior and junior biddings to buy Obama’s senate seat?
    Oh wait, I forgot, this all takes place in Chicago where whites like Gov. Blago are found guilty instead.
    How diverse.
    How progressive.

    Report this comment

    jackact  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:03pm

      $43 thousand for a gold plated Rolex and he’s “sorry?” He should be so ashamed to admit he had stolen from people who were supporting him. What kind of person lies, cheats and steals and doesn’t have a conscience? Unfortunately too many people are like this low life who prob. learned well from his dad. I’m also sure many of our D.C. friends have sticky fingers and wicked minds and don’t believe they will be held up at the Pearly Gates for their sins. HA! St. Peter knows who you are…………

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
  • makingsense
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:07pm

    Jesse Jerkson II … And these people run all over the nation telling us all how we are supposed to think and act. Isn’t his sister a commentator on Fox News? His half-sibling was fathered out of wedlock by his Reverend Daddy. This family is a mess and should shut up and go away. Oh yes, I guess one or two of them will be going soon!

    Report this comment

    makingsense  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:45pm

    So when are they indicting Armey, Palin and Rove for the same crime.
    Not to mention Reed and Pope Sanitorium?
    How do you think they live?

    Report this comment

    Verceofreason  
  • poster
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:38pm

    I have to laugh at all the concern being shown Mr. Jackson due to his “health”. Typical Lib-Progressives. Cowards. Come up with an excuse and get away with crimes. Oooooo, he’s bi-polar, he’s depressed, he’s unstable. Yeah, right. He’s a crook. (But, it’s a cultural thing, ya know)

    Report this comment

    poster  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 3:08pm

      Until you have dealt with a bi-polar person your judgement means squat. It is a miserable, horrible, mess that totally screwes up a person’s, and that person’s family. It is a nightmare of epic proportions to deal with, from medications, to finances, to relationships. Children suffer when a parent has it, and I know because two of my grandchildren have a mother who has it. It makes their lives a hell when meds stop working, or they stop taking them because of side effects. People here making ignorant remarks are clueless, that includes you.

      Report this comment

      Jenny Lind  
    • LostInTheSpin
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 7:06pm

      Jenny,
      I have bi-polar II and guess what? I am responsible for each and every one of my actions. It’s a crutch and a cop-out when I use my disorder to justify and rationalize my actions. Sounds like to me your daughter-in-law(?) is pretty dang good at playing the victim.

      Report this comment

      LostInTheSpin  
  • republic2011
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:35pm

    There is something bigger going on here… I wonder if he is covering for someone and taking the fall… knowing he will get a slap on the wrist. He’s being way too cooperative.

    Report this comment

    republic2011  
  • Kaoscontrol
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:35pm

    I always preferred Tito, Jermaine and Marlon — they could sing and dance much better than Jesse Jr.– He just never quite fit into the group.

    Report this comment

    Kaoscontrol  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:32pm

    I guess Wang/Sensei won’t be posting for a while….

    Have fun in the big house.

    “Wang Dang and the jail house house gang” isn’t just a metaphor anymore. : )

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:20pm

    I guess that’s why he went to rehab. He didn’t want to go cold turkey in jail.

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
  • philpan4
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:15pm

    remember, daddy taught him
    spit in white peoples food
    whitey is your enemy
    this closeted crybaby doofus should have been term limited long ago

    Report this comment

    philpan4  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:10pm

    Jackson………..Like father like son!
    Just another couple of corrupt criminals of the Left Wing

    Report this comment

    AnAmerican111  
  • willingtoupe
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:10pm

    Screw that! He was owed some of that money. It’s called reparations.

    Report this comment

    willingtoupe  
  • denkat56
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:10pm

    Like father , like son. Abuse of power position, and privileges. Sounds like a typical politician.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
  • MDECKER
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:08pm

    He is now a convicted felon. His constuents are probably pushing to get him on the ballot for Mayor.

    Report this comment

    MDECKER  
    • Mainer forever
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:36pm

      Thanks for the laugh. The sad thing is….you are probably right.

      Report this comment

      Mainer forever  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:41pm

      Indeed. He just improved his resume as a Progressive Democrat. He’ll do his 3.5 years and Obama will give him a pardon. Not much of a punishment when put into the perspective of the Chicago political machine. A mere wrist slap.

      Report this comment

      Bonnieblue2A  
  • DADDYGETZ
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:04pm

    says the fine is $ 10,000 to $ 100,000 … for stealing $ 750,000 ?? I don’t see where anything stated that has to be paid back ?

    Report this comment

    DADDYGETZ  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:00pm

    Another Chi-town crook. Chicago is a disgrace to this country and has now infested the Peoples House commie crooks. America’s nightmare continues.

    Report this comment

    BehindBlueEyes  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:00pm

    So, why is JJJr and wife taking the fall for this? Rahm and Axelrod punishing him for something? This crap happens all the time and no one is caught/punished. Why JJJr?

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
    • IndyGuy
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:30pm

      Because he wasn’t Obama’s choice to get his seat….

      Report this comment

      IndyGuy  
    • spirited
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:33pm

      The same way Jesse was conveniently interrupted / stopped
      from paying for Blago’s “this thing is golden”; and being jail-mates,
      chances are,
      there was another Jesse-intervention
      to stop him from doing something (else) really big and bad;
      thus, the Mayo Clinic dissapearing act.

      If his dad wanted to do
      what he said he wanted to do
      to O’s nuts,
      imagine what he has planned for nutcracker junior.

      Report this comment

      spirited  
  • cassandra
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:57am

    I agree he should spend time in JAIL and his daddy needs to be stopped with always trying to start race riots

    Report this comment

    cassandra  
  • hauschild
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:50am

    Tragic how the majority of Americans accept this behavior. I just can’t imagine thinking indifferently about something like this, but the vast majority do. Crazy.

    Report this comment

    hauschild  
  • woodyee
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:49am

    Oh, gee, and I thought he was going to plead guilty to needing hospitalization due to bipolar disorder and drug abuse…

    LIAR! THIEF! DEMONICRAT! But I repeat myself…

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
    • Blivit
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:00pm

      and next presidential candidate! this is just bolstering his resume so he can take on Billary.

      Report this comment

      Blivit  
  • noslave
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:48am

    i can hear it now I BEE SO SORRY,THATS ALRIGHT MY CHILD JUST DONT DO IT AGAIN case dismissed as useual???

    Report this comment

    noslave  
  • TSUNAMI_22
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:45am

    Now throw his **** in prison for 25 years, and then begin an investigation on his enabler….Daddy.

    Report this comment

    TSUNAMI_22  
  • Fubared
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:43am

    Cushy fed pen with dish network, golf, muslim outreach, and internet. Two years? One with tri-polar tendencies and good behavior?

    Report this comment

    Fubared  
  • Ben__Franklin
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:42am

    Any bet on him just getting a wrist slap because of “Who’s His Daddy”, the color of his skin, and hes a Democrat politician?

    Report this comment

    Ben__Franklin  
  • gyro
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:41am

    5 year prison pay it back
    NOT
    slap wrist your a bad boy

    Report this comment

    gyro  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:40am

    Just another example of “the man” trying to keep the brothers down.

    Report this comment

    TruthTalker  
    • gyro
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:48am

      The truth the truth ~

      Report this comment

      gyro  
    • mrunner
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:05pm

      And daddy was so proud until his boy got caught. Bad parenting by Jesse. Taught his boy all about bilking the system and stealing from those you claim to serve… forgot to teach him all the tricks on how not to get caught.

      Report this comment

      mrunner  
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