Jesse Jackson Jr. Charged With Misusing Campaign Money and Agrees To Guilty Plea -
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What does this mean to Jesse Jackson Jr.?
Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was formally charged Friday with improperly using about $750,000 in campaign money for personal use, including a Rolex watch, trips and meals with a mistress.
Jackson has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a prison sentence of less than five years, sources have told CBS 2.
Jackson’s wife, Sandi, was charged with tax fraud, for filing false joint tax returns. She has agreed to plead guilty to that charge, her attorney said Friday.
The charging document details other purchases allegedly made using campaign cash, including: Michael Jackson memorabilia, Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, Bruce Lee memorabilia and an Eddie Van Halen guitar.
The Michael Jackson memorabilia includes a fedora for $4,000. The Van Halen guitar was purchased for $4,000. He also bought a football signed by American presidents for $5,000, according to the document.
Formally, Jackson was charged with one count of conspiracy to use campaign money for his personal use. He also is accused of making false statements along with wire fraud and mail fraud.
In a statement, Jackson said: “Over the course of my life I have come to realize that none of us are immune from our share of shortcomings and human frailties. Still I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made. To that end I want to offer my sincerest apologies to my family, my friends and all of my supporters for my errors in judgment and while my journey is not yet complete, it my hope that I am remembered for things that I did right.”
According to published reports, prosecutors will recommend a prison sentence of between 46 and 57 months for Jackson Jr.
The filing at the U.S District Courthouse in Washington did not require a court appearance by either Jackson. The plea agreements are submitted to the court clerk and assigned to judges, who will set initial court dates.
Jackson Jr. agreed to plead guilty and let a federal judge determine his punishment, which according to the agreement could range from probation to five years in prison.
Jackson’s deal calls for him to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars spent for things like travel and meals with a mistress and a $40,000 men’s Rolex watch he bought for himself. Jackson’s resignation from Congress was also part of the deal.
But Jackson’s pleading guilty to using campaign funds for personal expenses exposed Sandi Jackson, his campaign manager, to tax-fraud charges.
The congressman’s guilty plea says Sandi knew about improper purchases that apparently include breakfast snacks, cosmetic services, even beds purchased for campaign workers.
Sandi Jackson is expected to accept responsibility for some things because, as the congressman’s campaign manager, she signed the tax returns.
Source CHICAGO (CBS)
