Reports surfaced Thursday that Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned from Congress last year over an investigation into campaign fund misuse, was negotiating a plea deal that would include significant jail time. NBC Chicago is now confirming the deal is signed.
From NBC Chicago:
Under the terms of the deal Jackson signed, he pleads guilty and his fate – as to jail time – would be in the hands of a federal judge, not yet assigned.
He would repay the government hundreds of thousands of dollars – for items like the $40,000 Rolex watch, travel expenses for a woman he described as a “social acquaintance” and furniture purchased for his home.
Converting campaign contributions for personal use is strictly prohibited by federal law. It opens Jackson up to “not more than 5 years” in prison.
Jackson’s wife Sandi also resigned from her post as alderwoman in the city of Chicago last month and is facing a federal investigation of her own. Ms. Jackson received $5,000 monthly for years from Jesse Jr.’s campaign fund as a political consultant.
Republican candidate Paul McKinley, running in the primary to replace Jackson Jr. in the upcoming special election, released a statement regarding Jackson following the news of Jackson’s deal.
The people should know that the Machine is more than just Jesse Jr. He is only the tip of the iceberg, a symptom. We need to see what is underneath those waters of corruption.
Self-enriching politicians like Jesse Jackson, Jr. have outfitted their homes and their lives with money that isn’t theirs, while our children’s schools are crumbling and our neighborhoods are a warzone.
This purported plea deal reveals just who has been at controls of the people’s seat–the Chicago Democratic Machine. That Machine, which has been in charge for 60 years, uses people like Jackson Jr. as part of a larger network of corruption to profit off the misery of residents of Chicago.
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