Jackson Jr. to Judge: ‘I’m Guilty, Your Honor’
Our former representative will now face a June 28 sentencing date and potentially significant jail time after pleading guilty to misusing an estimated $750,000 in campaign funds.
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Former 2nd District Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to illegally spending roughly three quarters of a million dollars in campaign money, according to the Sun-Times Media.
“For years I lived off my campaign. I used money that should have been for campaign purposes for personal purposes,” Jackson Jr. told Judge Robert Wilkins.
Jackson reportedly claimed his decision to plead guilty was because he has “no interest in wasting the taxpayers’ time or their money.” According to the Chicago Tribune, Jackson said "Tell everybody back home I'm sorry I let 'em down, OK?,” to a reporter on his way out of the courtroom.
In what might be a mitigating attempt, Jackson’s lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said he plans to make an extensive presentation during the June 28 sentencing date explaining how his known mental condition has affected his behavior.
“That’s not an excuse, that’s just a fact,” Weingarten reportedly said.
Jackson’s wife, former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, is expected to plead guilty later today for tax fraud.
Get the whole story from the Sun-Times Media
Dinkum
12:59 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
This is what he should have admitted to, but didn't:
"I'm guilty your honor. Guilty of greed, corruption, dishonesty, arrogance, and cheating on my spouse. I also knew I would be legally found guilty, yet decided to run again anyway and cost Illinois taxpayers millions of dollars.
But the truth is I couldn't have done this without the continuous support of the Democratic party and the Jackson voters in D2. For it was THEY who supported me and endorsed me during my terms in office."
mr lahey
1:10 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Awesome Dink, I would just add thanks to Daddy for teaching me how to play the system and using my haha "illness" to lighten my sentence.
Gonna look silly in orange but time to prep for MSNBC gig.
Seeya Jr.! Can't wait til Jr. Jr. gets into Chgo politics. The gifts keep on giving.
Bob Laird
11:28 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Another chunk fell away from the iceberg, more sure to follow. Who's next?
Hernendo RevolveR
1:35 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
We need to flush the political toilet. They all gotta go. Let's find some good people to represent US! Citizens that actually care about the Nation, not just themselves!
Cfoam
12:20 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
You know what they say - politicians and diapers are alike - they both generally are full of a load of c#@& and need to be changed REGULARLY.
Hernendo RevolveR
1:37 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I know... I'm just "peeing in the wind". Let's vote for the guy Bloomberg wants.
Tom
7:05 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
@Bob Laird, it isn't an iceberg, it's more like a glacier. Icebergs have limited size and energy but a glacier is just like Chicago politics, slow moving and seemingly unstoppable. The only thing JJJr said ,he didn't finish his statement. He said to tell everyone at home he was sorry, what he didn't do was finish the statement. The only thing he and his wife are sorry aqbout is they got caught.
Cfoam
12:33 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
>> Jackson reportedly claimed his decision to plead guilty was because he has “no interest in wasting the taxpayers’ time or their money.”
REALLY? Just more BS out of the crooks mouth. I'd question the rolex and memorabilia purchases right off and probably all the other things he bought with the 750k.... Also just a small cost and inconvenience to the Il taxpayer - why did you keep your name on the ballot when you knew you weren't going to hold office crook?
The other reason might be you got a good plea deal and escaped being prosecuted over some of your other activities like trying to buy Obama's senate seat from good ole Rod B? One can't help but connect his recent "mental" problems with the fact he was being investigated... but then I'm not your average D2 voter...
cal city steve
2:23 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
And he won with something like 80% of the vote. Meanwhile the Glenwood mayor says he will never vote GOP. Tell me how Jesse and the other Dems have done the last few decades in office ruling over the south suburbs?
nick
11:40 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Crime stats
THESE ARE 100% TRUE FBI STASTICS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5JbAO5_NMw