Lawyers: Jackson Jr., wife intend to plead guilty to charges

[Cameron]

Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi intend to plead guilty to federal charges alleging the former congressman misused $750,000 in campaign funds while she understated their income on tax returns for six years, their lawyers say.

Jackson Jr., 47, a Democrat from Chicago, was charged in a criminal information today with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements. He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and other penalties.

Sandi Jackson was charged with one count of filing false tax returns. She faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and other penalties.

Jackson Jr. is accused of diverting $750,000 in campaign funds for personal use.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...0,319725.story

I hope he gets the 5 years, but doubt he will.

[Jeebus]

Slime ball, just like Daddy.

[demopublican]

Just like every other member of congress except dumber.

[Manny]

He could still get overwhelmingly re-elected in his former district.

[Omaha Beach]

Wasnt he already rich from owning a Budweiser distributorship before he entered Congress? Greed will do you in everytime, that plus having a high maintenance wife.

[Eastside Terp]

I guess that 1% club wasn't as bad as he preached ......

[Jeebus]

"Today's guilty plea is nothing short of tragic," U.S. Attorney Machen said. "Jesse Jackson, Jr. entered public life with unlimited potential, but squandered his bright future by engaging in a self-destructive course of conduct that was staggering in both degree and scope."

With moist eyes and soft voices, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife pleaded guilty to federal charges on Wednesday related to years of using campaign funds for personal expenses that included purchases of Michael Jackson memorabilia and a Rolex watch.

"Guilty, your honor," Jackson responded to U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins while dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief after he looked back at family members in the courtroom, including his father, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.

At a separate hearing later on Wednesday, former Chicago Alderman Sandra Stevens Jackson, 49, also pleaded guilty in a quavering voice to one count of filing false tax returns in connection with the misuse of her husband's campaign funds. The charge involved a failure to declare more than $600,000 in income from 2005 to 2011. The total came from campaign funds.

The scammer apple didn't fall far from the scammer tree.

[queenie]

Well he is a politician....it's in style to do these things.....I'm sure he'll weasel his way back into politics somehow....he'll get that "God of second chances" crusade going just like ole Mark Sanford is stirring up down in SC.....SMDH!!!

[Jeebus]

If a crack-smoking hoodlum like Marion Barry can get reelected, anyone can.

[banner1124]

Judgemental much?

[Mom49of4]

I would not hold Marion Barry up as some paragon of virtue.

[Marshan Man]

Does his wife even care that he was spending part of this money on a mistress?? Hollywood couldn't write a better script of a tragic downfall...

[Jeebus]

I would not hold Marion Barry up as some paragon of virtue.

Who is doing that?

He is used as an example of the stupidity of the LWNJ racist voters who will disregard criminal history and reelect "a member of the Lodge" even if he's filmed smoking crack and serves times in prison for it.

Thus, it wouldn't surprise me if Rev Jess Jr serves time, and suddenly has a "vision" and decides to again seek public office, and it wouldn't surprise me if the brain dead voters who vote on race reelect him.

[BiggSeth]

Well he is a politician....it's in style to do these things.....I'm sure he'll weasel his way back into politics somehow....he'll get that "God of second chances" crusade going just like ole Mark Sanford is stirring up down in SC.....SMDH!!!

what campaign funds did Gov. Sanford steal?

see jjjjr there not only had the side piece whore, he STOLE campaign funds to fuel his lifestyle.

same pond, bigger fish.....

I hope he gets the maximum sentence and his wife gets the same. It is time that the politicains are punsihed for violating the public trust.....

[DaggerJohn]

Judgemental much?

What's it got to do with being "judgmental" (as if that's necessarily a bad word)? A crook is brought to justice, and given his political stature--it's newsworthy. So why is reporting that fact being "judgmental"? He deserves to pay for his crimes.

[DaggerJohn]

Does his wife even care that he was spending part of this money on a mistress?? Hollywood couldn't write a better script of a tragic downfall...

Does the mistress have to return the $40K Rolex??

[queenie]

what campaign funds did Gov. Sanford steal?

see jjjjr there not only had the side piece whore, he STOLE campaign funds to fuel his lifestyle.

same pond, bigger fish.....

I hope he gets the maximum sentence and his wife gets the same. It is time that the politicains are punsihed for violating the public trust.....

Public funds were used to pay for Mr Sanford's "hiking the Appalachian trail" of course this was revealed only after he blatantly denied using tax-payer monies for his excursion(s) to Argentina so he could meet with his mistress and he was quick to pay the money back to his state to avoid prosecution once he got caught....he's a thief and a liar among other things.....just like jesse jr.

[songfourone]

His return to politics was already being discussed. SMH.