Feds: Jackson Jr. Stole $750K in Campaign Funds

Newser ^ | 02/15/2013 | By Kevin Spak

[Responsibility2nd]

(Newser) – Looks like Jesse Jackson Jr. didn't exactly work out a sweetheart plea deal for himself. Prosecutors intend to recommend 46 to 57 months of prison time for the former congressman, along with a fine of between $10,000 and $100,000, Politico reports. As part of the deal, Jackson admits to having conspired with his wife to illegally spend $750,000 in campaign money on such vagaries as fur coats, airplane tickets, a $43,000 Rolex watch, celebrity memorabilia, booze, cigars, and even groceries.

Jackson was formally charged today with felonies including conspiracy, reports the Chicago Tribune. His wife, former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, was charged with filing false tax returns. No public money is believed to have been included in the $750,000 of misused funds, at least some of which will be forfeited as part of the sentence. "I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," Jackson said in a statement.

[adingdangdoo]

Hey CNN, think THIS might be a “career ender”?

[newgeezer]

This is all well and good but, personally, I tend to think a candidate should be legally (not ethically) free to do whatever he pleases with the donations given by supporters. If his donors don't like what he's doing, they can stop donating.

In other words, caveat emptor!

Down with the nanny state.

[GeronL]

just call it reparations and the NAACP will rally for him

[Pan_Yan]

... fur coats, airplane tickets, a $43,000 Rolex watch, celebrity memorabilia, booze, cigars, and even groceries.

The other stuff I can see as legitimate campaign expenses but groceries is a bridge to far.

[SPRINK]

almost all democrat political funds are from the treasury...so most of that money was government funds

[Gabrial]

I pity the poor rubes that gave money to this pr_ck so he could go out and buy a $40,000 wristwatch and $700,000 worth of other loot.

Criminal democrats have been in the news all week. Shooting cops, hiring underage hookers, stealing money, etc.

None of these losers have any type of moral compass whatsoever.

[Paladin2]

"Well for crying out loud, if you can’t get rich, what’s the point of going to Congress?"

The Hairy Reed should conduct a class for new CongressCritters.

[SpaceBar]

He was just trying to show his old man that theft is more lucrative than extortion.

[Hotlanta Mike]

It’s never enough for THESE people...

Jesse Shakedown Jackson Gets Beer Distributorship for Son

http://solargeneral.com/jeffs-archive/black-civil-wrongs/jesse-shakedown-jackson-gets-beer-distributorship-for-son/

[RckyRaCoCo]

And Obama comes out of that cesspool "cleaner than a virgin's honey pot"...

....riiiight.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

pfft, 750K, big whoop - let me know when they nail down the MF Global thief -

I’m so damn tired of the kids running this country into the ground. Everyday it’s pelosi this, schumer that, reid mumbling around and the rest of the freaks hell bent on imposing their power of the rest of us.

[bikerman]

Has anyone checked his freezer in the basement yet????

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Must have had a diamond in the back with a sun roof top.

[AppyPappy]

He got sloppy. It happens in that world. They have no OFF switch when it comes to other people’s money.

[Moonman62]

JJJr could move to DC and get on City Council when he is released.

His constituents would elect him and let him serve from jail if they were allowed.

[SpaceBar]

Criminal democrats have been in the news all week. Shooting cops, hiring underage hookers, stealing money, etc.

Kinda weird when you actually stop and think about it for a moment. Our side takes a sip of water, stands up for gun rights, maybe gets a traffic ticket on a bad day. Their side embezzles a billion to cover gambling debts, sleeps with underage hookers, goes on a blood drenched rampage complete with liberal screed, etc. A literal daily occurrence with no shortage of examples to choose from.

[driftless2]

The Democrat Party is the party of thieves anyway. I’m sure Jackson was doing “business” as usual for a typical Dem. I would bet the great majority of Dem pols are in it for the dough. Your money is my money...that’s the Dem motto.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Statement:"Feds: Jackson Jr. Stole $750K in Campaign Funds"

Response: I have no doubt that this is a true statement.

Comment: I'll bet that in his lifetime he has stolen a lot more than $750,000. Like father like son he had access to billions in taxpayer funds.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Curb feelers...?

[pgyanke]

I’m really sick of seeing people steal $750,000 and only getting fined $10-100,000. Let them make FULL restitution!