Jesse Jackson Jr and his wife Sandra arrive at court
in Washington DC
Former US congressman Jesse Jackson
Jr has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for misusing campaign funds. Jackson, 48, pleaded guilty in February to fraud after he spent $750,000
on a Rolex watch, fur coats, mounted elk heads and other items.
The Illinois Democrat's wife, Sandra Jackson, who pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns, was sentenced to one year in prison. The disgraced politician was once seen as a possible presidential candidate.
Prosecutors had recommended a four-year prison term for him. At the court in Washington DC on Wednesday, District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that as a public official Jackson had been expected to "live up to a higher standard of ethics and integrity".
Just before he learned his fate, Jackson made an emotional speech to the judge in which he apologized to the American people, his family and his father, the civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
He told the judge he hoped his son and daughter would not be affected by the sentences and that his wife would receive probation. If not, Jackson said, he would serve her sentence for her. "Give me her time," the former lawmaker urged the judge.
Subject to forfeiture
- Two Michael Jackson hats
- A Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen guitar
- Eight items of unspecified Michael Jackson memorabilia
- Four items of unspecified Bruce Lee memorabilia
- Football signed by American presidents
- Mink and cashmere cape
- Mink reversible parka
Prosecutors have suggested separating the jail terms so
one parent could care for the couple's two children. Jackson has said he would like to be sent to a prison in the state of
Alabama, where it would be "a little inconvenient for everybody to get to
me". In letters to the court, members of Jackson's family appealed for leniency,
with his father saying: "Jesse Jr is an example as a teacher and counsellor who
will be better served under supervision and probation."
Jackson resigned from the House of Representatives last November, months after his diagnosis with bipolar disorder. But prosecutors have said they do not believe Jackson's mental health affected the "3,100 illegal transactions that occurred during the life of the conspiracy", according to court documents. They say that between 2007-09, the Jacksons used funds donated to his re-election campaign to buy a gold-plated Rolex watch worth more than $43,000, fur capes and parkas worth over $5,000, as well as nearly $9,600 on children's furniture.
Jackson was also accused of failing to report $28,500 in gifts and loans to the House of Representatives, where he had served from 1995. Accusing the politician of greed, prosecutors said the couple had a combined income of about $300,000 at the time they were spending the campaign money.
They also disagreed with Jackson's argument that his crimes had no victims, saying the former congressman had deceived voters and undermined the democratic process.
I remember some months ago when Jesse Jackson, Jr. dropped out of the public eye because of mental stress or something. Just about everyone on every forum predicted he was in some kind of legal trouble.
ReplyDeleteHe deserves every second of his sentence.
Jackson goes to jail I don't have a problem with that, but the bankers who near destroyed the country are still free, too big to go to jail.
Government is complicit with the banking industry. Politicians set the rules they play
How does one get 2 -1/2 years for stealing $750,000? Only a politician would be handed such a ridiculously light sentence for stealing that much money. Anyone else would be seeing at least a decade.
This is disgusting. Just disgusting. If you want to be rich, public service is NOT for you. Sadly, this is lost on most politicians. A $43,000 Rolex. Good grief.
It's not about being Black,Brown,White or Yellow. It's about being a crook and about being a politician. Someone else who was and could still be a role model for people he had it all, but what's the sense of being a politician if you can't act like one!
Just my humble oinion
Yo Humble!
ReplyDeleteCrooked politicians and grasping, usurious banks. If only there was a foolproof way to purge our governments of such pestilence.
I did not register that it was such a light sentence until you mentioned it. They are treating it like a white collar crime just because he is a public figure and his father is so high profile.
I wonder if his wife will just get a tap on the wrist for cheating on her taxes.
Jr has definitely destroyed his reputation, his credibility and his career...in fact, his whole life, for some expensive trinkets.
This is definitely a case of 'like father...like son'.
You answered your question at the very beginning of your post.
ReplyDeleteSandra Jackson, who pleaded quilty were sentenced to one (1) year in prison.(smiling)
My humble opinion
I do not believe Sandra will serve any time at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even convinced Jr will serve his full sentence.
They will soon be free to screw people again...HA!