Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) — who won reelection Tuesday night with 64 percent of the vote — is discussing a possible plea deal with the Justice Department regarding the misuse of campaign funds, according to Chicago-area news sources.
Jackson, who has checked himself back into the Mayo Clinic following outpatient treatment in Washington, is being investigated for allegedly using campaign funds to hook up his Washington home, and $40,000 in campaign funds to purchase a Rolex watch as a gift for a female friend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The FBI’s Washington office reportedly began its probe of Jackson in June.
The congressman is no stranger to federal investigations: He was caught up in the scandal surrounding former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decisions over who should replace President Obama in the U.S. Senate. Jackson has denied any involvement and was never charged in connection with the case.
Jackson returned to his Dupont Circle-area home in September, but did not cast any votes before the House’s election-season recess began. Within days of returning home, aides confirmed that the congressman has put his D.C. home on the market. The Victorian-style townhouse lists for $2.5 million and includes four bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths, five fireplaces, a kitchen, sun room, rooftop deck and Jacuzzi.
via EurWeb
