Jesse Jackson Jr: ‘I Lived Off My Campaign’

3 months ago

Former congressman will be sentenced for felony fraud on June 28

Continuing the tradition of corrupt Chicago politicians, Jesse Jackson Jr. on Wednesday entered a guilty plea to one felony fraud charge that he and his wife used $750,000 in campaign money to pay for living expenses and buy luxury items and memorabilia. “For years I’ve lived off my campaign,” said Jackson, the 47-year-old son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, in response to question from the judge. “I used money I shouldn’t have used for personal purposes.” (Click here to see a list of items Jackson bought with the money.) At one point, Judge Robert L. Wilkins stopped the his question of Jackson, who was crying in the courtroom. “Guilty, You Honor – I misled the American people,” Jackson said when he entered his guilty plea. His wife, Sandi, who later in the day pleaded guilty to a charge that she filed a false income tax, joined her husband in the court. His father, his mother and several brothers and sisters were also there in the courtroom. The guilty plea ends another chapter in Jesse Jackson Jr.’s personal and professional downfall. Last summer, Jackson took a medical leave from Congress to treat bipolar disorder and later resigned from his seat, after winning re-election in November. He cited his health and the federal investigation into his use of campaign money as reasons for his resignation. Jackson’s lawyer says his health issues were “directly related” to his misconduct. The judge scheduled his sentencing hearing for June 28. (New York Times)