Politics & Government
Jackson Jr. May Face Fines and Loss of Pension
The former 2nd District representative may face $250,000 in fines and loss of his federal pension, in addition to jailtime after years of misspent campaign funds.
Former 2nd District Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. may lose an estimated $45,000 in federal pension and could face up to five years in prison, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Reports indicate Jackson Jr. intends to plead guilty —money which he now must pay back along with some of the swag he’s collected over the years. His wife, former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, faces up to three years in prison for filing false tax returns for the past six years. She also plans on pleading guilty, the report says. Both Jackson’s could also each be fined up to $250,000.
The outcome of the court’s decision will be based on many factors, some of which help Jackson, such as his ongoing struggle with Bipolar II disorder and his willingness to plead guilty. Other issues may hinder him, such as the amount of time he had been misspending campign money and his former dealings with the currently imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. It is speculated that Sandi Jackson will see a less severe punishment, partly because of the couple's two children.
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