Former Illinois Congressman enters guilty plea
By: Nikki Henderson
Updated: February 20, 2013
Former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has pleaded guilty to fraud.
Wednesday Jackson pleaded guilty in federal court to misusing more than $750,000 in campaign cash on private expenses. The money was allegedly used for a $43,000 Rolex, Blu-ray players, health clubs, lavish vacations, furs, and a slew of luxury goods.
Jackson, who resigned three months ago to reportedly get treatment for bipolar disorder and clinical depression, will face time behind bars when he is sentenced in June.
The Democratic lawmaker reportedly agreed to a negotiated plea recommending a sentence of between 46 and 57 months and a fine in the $10,000 to $100,000 range.
Meanwhile, Jackson's wife, Sandi, pleaded guilty three hours after her husband's hearing to a single charge for filing false tax returns and reporting less income than she accrued. The charge comes with a maximum prison sentence of three years.
