WASHINGTON – The son of a prominent U.S. civil rights leader entered a guilty plea Wednesday in federal court to criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. Under a plea deal with prosecutors, he faces 46 to 57 months in prison and a fine of $10,000 to $100,000.
A few hours later, Jesse Jackson Jr.’s wife, Sandra Jackson, pleaded guilty to filing false joint federal income tax returns that knowingly understated the income the couple received. She faces one to two years in prison and a fine of $3,000 to $40,000.
Until the couple’s troubles began, Jackson, a former congressman and son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, seemed to have a bright political future with a possible shot at higher office. His wife was a member of the Chicago city council until her resignation last month.
In a 17-page prosecution document, Jackson’s wife admitted that from mid-2006 through mid-October of last year, she failed to report $600,000 in income that she and her husband earned from 2005 to 2011.
Jackson told U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins, “Sir, for years I lived in my campaign” and used money from the campaign for personal use.
Jackson had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. He is to be sentenced June 28, and his wife on July 1. Wilkins, who presided over both guilty pleas, is not bound by the plea agreements. Both Jacksons are free until sentencing.
Since last June, Jackson has been hospitalized twice at the Mayo Clinic for treatment of bipolar disorder and other issues, and he stayed out of the public eye for months, even during the November elections.
Jackson, 47, used campaign money to buy items including a $43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch and $9,587.64 worth of children’s furniture, according to court papers. His wife spent $5,150 on fur capes and parkas. Under the plea deal, Jackson must forfeit $750,000, plus tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of memorabilia items and furs.
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