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Jesse Jackson Jr.
Former U.S. Representative (D-IL-2)
Congressman convicted of spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal luxuries including a $43,350 Rolex watch, fur capes, and Michael Jackson memorabilia
Overview
Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1995 to 2012. He was investigated for attempting to purchase Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat from Rod Blagojevich. In February 2013, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false statements for misusing approximately $750,000 in campaign funds for personal purchases. The purchases included a $43,350 Rolex watch, $5,150 in fur capes and parkas, $10,000+ in Michael Jackson memorabilia, Bruce Lee memorabilia, cashmere capes, mounted elk heads, and various luxury items. His wife Sandi Jackson also pleaded guilty to filing false joint federal income tax returns. Jesse Jr. was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, while Sandi received 12 months. Jackson served his sentence at FPC Montgomery and was released in March 2015.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Spent $750,000 in campaign funds on personal luxury items
Purchased $43,350 Rolex, fur capes, Michael Jackson memorabilia with donor money
Investigated for attempting to purchase Obama's Senate seat from Blagojevich
Wife also convicted for filing false tax returns hiding campaign fund misuse
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
18 U.S.C. 371/1343/1341Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud - misuse of $750,000 in campaign funds(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1001Making false statements on financial disclosure forms(federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Rod Blagojevich
Governor who tried to sell Obama's Senate seat
Sandi Jackson
Wife; co-defendant who pleaded guilty to tax fraud
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- March 11, 1965
- Birthplace
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Also Known As
- Junior
Education
- •North Carolina A&T (B.S.)
- •Chicago Theological Seminary (M.A.)
- •University of Illinois College of Law (J.D.)
Key Timeline
1995-12-12
Wins special election for Illinois 2nd congressional district
2008-2012
Period of campaign fund misuse totaling $750,000
2012-11-21
Resigns from Congress
2013-02-20
Pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud
2013-08-14
Sentenced to 30 months in federal prison
2015-03
Released from prison