Politics
Jesse Jackson Jr. pleads guilty to campaign fund misuse
Jesse Jackson Jr. PHOTO/Getty Images
Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., entered a guilty plea Wednesday in federal court to criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend US$750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. He faces 46 to 57 months in prison under a plea deal with prosecutors
Before entering the plea to the conspiracy charge, Jackson told U.S. District Judge Robert L. Wilkins, “I’ve never been more clear in my life” in his decision to plead guilty.
Later, when Wilkins asked if Jackson committed the acts outlined in court papers, the former congressman replied, “I did these things.” He added later, “Sir, for years I lived in my campaign,” and used money from the campaign for personal use.
Jackson told the judge he was waiving his right to trial.
“In perfect candor, your honor, I have no interest in wasting the taxpayers’ time or money,” he said.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, and Wilkins is not bound by the plea agreement. Jackson is free until then.
Jackson entered the courtroom holding hands with his wife, Sandra, and looking a bit dazzled as he surveyed the packed room. He kissed his wife and headed to the defense table. She is expected to plead guilty to plead guilty on a charge of filing false joint federal income tax returns for the years 2006 through 2011 that knowingly understated the income the couple received.
Jackson’s father, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, sat in the front row. Before the hearing started, he wrote notes on a small piece of paper. When the proceedings started, he sat expressionless and virtually motionless, hands folded.
Jackson, 47, used campaign money to buy items including a US$43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch and US$9,587.64 worth of children’s furniture, according to court papers filed in the case. His wife spent US$5,150 on fur capes and parkas, the court documents said. Prosecutors said that upon conviction Jackson must forfeit US$750,000, plus tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of memorabilia items and furs.
The charge against Sandra Jackson carries a maximum of three years in prison. However, one of her lawyers, Tom Kirsch, says the plea agreement “does not contemplate a sentence of that length.” Sandra Jackson was a Chicago alderman before she resigned last month during the federal investigation.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press