Maybe he never thought he'd be caught or tried or found guilty and maybe sentenced to prison time. Maybe he figured it was just what you do when you're a member of Congress and have a boatload of campaign funds. Hey, the money was donated to you, right?
Well, no. He and his wife spent $750,000 of campaign money on personal items and he's pleaded guilty to federal charges. So where did the money go? The Tribune calls it "living the life of luxury off campaign cash". You can see the entire list on this page which describes the government's case against him and his wife. Scroll down a bit and all the items are listed. But...
Why would they take such a chance for so many unnecessary things? It seems as if he and his wife were shopaholics more than using the money for things they merely needed but had no money for.
Jesse Jackson Jr. and his supporters,and there are still many, are blaming it on his bipolar condition. Sandi Jackson's actions can only be blamed on "GREED".
Ironic, since the Democrats are always talking about greeding corporate executives and greedy Republicans. I am sure there many times they listened to Jesse Jackson Sr. talk about greedy business people. Maybe, they can get in the same jail as Rod Blagojevick and talk about Jesse's trying to bride Rod for the US Senate position. And just think, Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife would probably still get elected, if they were eligible to run for office.
Posted by: Ron | February 20, 2013 at 03:50 PM
Ron, there are criminals and greedy people in and out of both parties. Why you feel the need to turn every event in a chance to blast Democrats I think is unbelievably biased and myopic, and probably immature. The same can be said about Republicans.
How's this: kind of ironic that Republicans are always talking about family values, yet they are the party of Domenici, Mark Sanders, Mark Foley, John Ensign, Larry Craig, Dan Crane, Robert Bauman, etc. That list is long. And maybe Jackson can get George Ryan's recently vacated cell.
Posted by: Rand | February 20, 2013 at 05:53 PM
I would never defend those you mentioned for their actions.
You defend the Jackson clan all you want.
Posted by: Ron | February 20, 2013 at 06:26 PM
Gee, guys, I thought it was just weird to think about all the stuff they bought. It seems sick more than political.
Posted by: Diane Meyer | February 20, 2013 at 07:08 PM
While I obviously don't approve of what the Jackson's did, I have to admit-he did do alot of good for our area. But I do have to give them credit-for 'admitting they were wrong'& not costing the taxpayers tons of money in legal fees while they tried to 'fight' the charges. Unlike the former governors (Blago and Ryan). I won't get into a discussion of 'would he have admitted to wrong-doing' had the feds not found out-my guess is 'no'. But I'm just glad they have admitted their guilt and we in his district can 'move on'.
Posted by: Pam | February 21, 2013 at 08:54 AM