regulator 0 #1 August 14, 2013 Oh the irony! http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/14/former-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-to-be-sentenced/?test=latestnews Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to two and a half years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to scheming to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on TV's, restaurant dinners, an expensive watch and other costly personal items. His wife received a sentence of one year. Jackson, the 48-year-old son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. In an emotional speech to the judge during which he became choked up and used tissues to blow his nose, he apologized and said he wanted to "take responsibility for my actions." "I misled the American people," he said. According to court papers in the case, Jackson used campaign money to buy items including a $43,350 gold-plated men's Rolex watch. Daily politics news delivered to your inbox: sign up for our newsletter U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that as a public official Jackson was expected to "live up to a higher standard of ethics and integrity." After prison, he is to spend three years on supervised release and complete 500 hours of community service. Jackson's wife, Sandra Jackson, was sentenced Wednesday to a year in prison for filing joint federal income tax returns that understated the couple's income. She spent $5,150 in campaign funds on fur capes and parkas, court documents show. Jesse Jackson Jr. had pleaded guilty to the criminal charges back in February. He admitted that he and his wife used campaign credit cards to buy 3,100 personal items worth $582,772 from 2005 through April of last year -- including $60,857 for personal expenditures at restaurants, nightclubs and lounges; $16,058 for personal expenditures at sports clubs and lounges; $5,814 for alcohol and $14,513 for dry cleaning. Individual campaign credit card purchases included a $466 dinner for two of "a personal nature" at a restaurant; a washer, dryer, range and refrigerator for the Jacksons' Chicago home; multiple flat-screen televisions, Blu-Ray DVD players and DVDs for their Washington, D.C., home; and a five-day health retreat for one of Mrs. Jackson's relatives. Jackson told another judge when he entered his plea that "for years I lived in my campaign." On Wednesday, Jackson asked that his family, in particular his son and daughter, not suffer because of his actions. He said he hoped his wife would get probation and that if that wasn't available he could serve her sentence for her. "Give me her time," he said. Jackson also asked to serve his time in Alabama, saying, "I wanted to make it a little inconvenient for everybody to get to me." Under federal sentencing guidelines, Jackson faced a potential sentencing range of 46 to 57 months in prison, and the government recommended the lower end of that -- 48 months. Jackson's lawyer, Reid H. Weingarten, wrote that the former congressman's mental health might worsen under the stress of incarceration. Jackson has been treated for depression and bipolar disorder. Prosecutors sought an 18-month prison sentence for Sandra Jackson, who was a Chicago alderman before she resigned this year during the federal investigation. U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen has said the government could have come up with more serious charges against her than filing false joint federal income tax returns, but used discretion because the Jacksons have children Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #3 August 14, 2013 Should have been more. He steals $750k and gets 30 months. An indigent gets more than that for stealing (metaphorical) peanuts. One rule for the wealthy and powerful, another for everyone else.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #4 August 14, 2013 Bet his wife gets 10 years...skydiveTaylorville.org [email protected] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 620 #5 August 15, 2013 They could send him to ADX. But they won't. Gets out, runs again....??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #6 August 15, 2013 kallend Should have been more. He steals $750k and gets 30 months. An indigent gets more than that for stealing (metaphorical) peanuts. One rule for the wealthy and powerful, another for everyone else. Anyone care to take bets that, somehow, that 3/4 mil. never gets paid back? lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertt 0 #7 August 15, 2013 "What's ironic? " Maybe that a black guy from Chicago asked the judge to send him to Alabama? His wife got a year.You don't have to outrun the bear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #8 August 15, 2013 Is it normal for a judge to let the wife wait until the husband is released before she serves her time?? I have never heard of that before.You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #9 August 15, 2013 oldwomanc6 *** Should have been more. He steals $750k and gets 30 months. An indigent gets more than that for stealing (metaphorical) peanuts. One rule for the wealthy and powerful, another for everyone else. Anyone care to take bets that, somehow, that 3/4 mil. never gets paid back? Daddy will just shake down a big corporation for a donation to cover it under the threat of a boycott by the brothers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #10 August 15, 2013 Only if you are a rich elitist with good lawyers."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #11 August 15, 2013 kallend Should have been more. He steals $750k and gets 30 months. An indigent gets more than that for stealing (metaphorical) peanuts. One rule for the wealthy and powerful, another for everyone else. And let's hope he never gets his hands on a gun. Freakin Nutters. QuoteShe also said that Jackson's actions could not be excused because of mental illness. He has been treated for bipolar disorder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #12 August 15, 2013 Best news of the week.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,047 #13 August 15, 2013 Hi Rick, QuoteIs it normal for a judge to let the wife wait until the husband is released before she serves her time?? I have heard of that quite a few times. There was one here in Oregon not too long ago. It was a couple who would not provide health care due to religion and a child/children died ( not sure if more than one ). Hubby went in so wifey could watch the kids; then vice-versa. To Doug: These were not wealthy people; just ordinary people except for their strange beliefs. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
