Posted on 12/17/2008 12:06:11 AM PST by Fred
Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been dropping dimes on his state's disgraced governor and other corrupt local pols for years, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Jackson, a longtime congressman and son of the famed civil rights activist, has been pulled into the controversy surrounding Gov. Rod Blagojevich's alleged attempt to auction Barack Obama's now-vacant U.S. Senate seat.
A Jackson spokesman, Kenneth Edmonds, said the congressman had spoken to the feds about Blagojevich and others.
He wouldn't provide details, but Chicago's WLS-TV reported the congressman told investigators Blagojevich refused to make Jackson's wife director of the state lottery because Jackson would not pledge $25,000 to the governor's campaign fund.
"Blagojevich went out of his way to say, 'You know I was considering your wife for the lottery job and the $25,000 you didn't give me? That's why she's not getting the job,'" a source told The Associated Press.
Federal prosecutors declined to comment.
Jackson has acknowledged meeting with Blagojevich about his interest in Obama's Senate seat one day before the governor was arrested on federal corruption charges.
The congressman has admitted to being "Senate Candidate 5" in the federal complaint against Blagojevich. Blagojevich claimed the candidate's emissary agreed to fund-raising in exchange for the seat, according to the complaint. Jackson said he never authorized any intermediary to make deals.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
Just heard a brief news report that Blago is claiming to be an informant too.
Isn’t Chicago an exciting place to be these days.
I wonder how come he never “ratted” his daddy out?
$25,000? I’m sure having the endorsement of the Jackson family is worth more than $25,000. Jr. could have said screw you Ron I’m running against you.
“How will Jacksons constituency react to him being a snitch?”
...the same way as usual for Democrats: Reelect him ad infinitum.
Use the “I’m an informant” defense is expected. Personally I believe the Feds moved on the complaint against Blago because they feared that if it continued it would very likely catch the incoming Obama administration on Federal corruption scandal.
The quote of “we moved in to prevent a crime” was really meant for the Obama.
LLS
Did Jr. SNITCH on Pappa?
Sure sounds like the Jackson apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and Jr was shaking down Blago for a job for his wife: part of what Blago is accused of himself.
Oh,NO he did’nt! ain’t no snitchin’in da hood!
I keep remembering when Jesse Jackson, Sr. was caught on the mic saying impolite things about Obama. Wonder if this has anything to do with his feelings toward him? One must figure that Jr. talks with Sr....
In the end they will all rat each other out and the defense attorneys will have a field day discrediting everything.
And Elliot Spitzer lost his job over getting some smoothies from a chippy. Incredible.
Blago's mistake. Jr took him out.
Welcome to Chicago.
Explains more the ‘feeling’ behind Jesse Jackson’s ‘off/on mike comment’ re Obama. . .
I agree, this doesn't ring true. And not just the last 7 words. The whole thing reads like an excuse written by a 12 year old--"Jesse Jr. is totally innocent and not faking it, for real!!! Signed, Jesse's Mom." Note how he gets in both the $ amount and the "fact" that he did pony up. Ridiculous. If this had actually happened, it would have been more along the lines of, "Too bad your wife's credentials came up short."
JJ screwed up with this one. Not only does this fairy tale fall flat, it negates his first song and dance. He's admitting that his claim of being blindsided was crap. His original contention was that he believed the senate selection process to be honest and he had no idea--none!--of any bidding war. If he'd been pressed to pay for his wife's appointment and had his nose rubbed in it by Blago and had actually been going to the feds for a year over shakedowns, he forfeits his claim of shock that Blago was corrupt.
He's making it up as he goes along.
Why should we believe JJ?
That was my first thought when I read the story. It as though telling the truth or revealing a crime is a bad thing.
So let me get this straight: JJJ tries to buy the seat with campaign contributions to Blago of between .5 & 1.5 million. The price gets too high, so he rats Blago out? Hey Junior! Better have somebody start your car in the morning for you because something might go BOOM.
He gets a pass for ratting out a white-guy. That’d be my guess.
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