comes around goes around
Moderators: GoodOyster, Cr0ck1
- bellyacher
- First Class Scout
- Posts: 755
- Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2012 12:23 am
comes around goes around
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison Wednesday for illegally spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items, the judge scolding the son of the famed civil rights leader for using the money as a "piggy bank" and sentencing his wife to a year as well.
However, Jackson, who emotionally apologized to his father, mother, congressional colleagues and others, was given significantly less prison time than federal guidelines recommend, recognized by the judge as a "complex person" who has done both good and bad.
Sandra Jackson, a former Chicago alderman, was sentenced for filing false joint federal income tax returns.
After prison, the former congressman is to spend three years on supervised release and complete 500 hours of community service. If he earns credit for good behavior in prison, he could end up serving closer to two years. He agreed to repay the $750,000 when he pleaded guilty earlier this year.
According to court documents, the Jacksons had spent campaign money on TV's, restaurant dinners, an expensive watch and other costly personal items.
Jackson, 48, had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. In an emotional speech to the judge, he choked up and used tissues to blow his nose. He apologized and said he wanted to "take responsibility for my actions."
"I misled the American people. I misled the House of Representatives. I misled the Federal Election Commission," he said. "I was wrong."
"I also want to apologize to my dad and to my mother," Jackson added, stopping to compose himself.
The elder Jackson, who sat in the front row during the proceedings, told a crush of reporters outside the courthouse later: "This has been an extraordinarily difficult time for our family."
However, Jackson, who emotionally apologized to his father, mother, congressional colleagues and others, was given significantly less prison time than federal guidelines recommend, recognized by the judge as a "complex person" who has done both good and bad.
Sandra Jackson, a former Chicago alderman, was sentenced for filing false joint federal income tax returns.
After prison, the former congressman is to spend three years on supervised release and complete 500 hours of community service. If he earns credit for good behavior in prison, he could end up serving closer to two years. He agreed to repay the $750,000 when he pleaded guilty earlier this year.
According to court documents, the Jacksons had spent campaign money on TV's, restaurant dinners, an expensive watch and other costly personal items.
Jackson, 48, had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. In an emotional speech to the judge, he choked up and used tissues to blow his nose. He apologized and said he wanted to "take responsibility for my actions."
"I misled the American people. I misled the House of Representatives. I misled the Federal Election Commission," he said. "I was wrong."
"I also want to apologize to my dad and to my mother," Jackson added, stopping to compose himself.
The elder Jackson, who sat in the front row during the proceedings, told a crush of reporters outside the courthouse later: "This has been an extraordinarily difficult time for our family."
Be polite, be professional, BUT have a plan to kill everybody you meet
Re: comes around goes around
"I misled the American people. I misled the House of Representatives. I misled the Federal Election Commission," he said. "I was wrong."
At least he admitted it, but if he truly meant it is another thing. I can't help to think though, if this had been an average person how hard they would have gotten hit with jail time? I'm sure it would have been more than 2.5 years........
At least he admitted it, but if he truly meant it is another thing. I can't help to think though, if this had been an average person how hard they would have gotten hit with jail time? I'm sure it would have been more than 2.5 years........
- nachogrande
- Wood Badger
- Posts: 5197
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:13 pm
- Location: Spring Hill, Fl
- Contact:
Re: comes around goes around
what country club is he gonna serve time in, club med?
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing
Re: comes around goes around
he is also still eligible for gov benefits, retirement, healthcare etc
-
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 11:33 pm
- Hunt or Fish: Equally Both
- Location: Dunnellon-west of Ocala
Re: comes around goes around
those Illinois politicians keeps the jails filled. You can't tell me he didn't try to buy the senate seat from "Brago".
- bellyacher
- First Class Scout
- Posts: 755
- Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2012 12:23 am
Re: comes around goes around
that's BS, he should be stripped of all benefits. as being a felon now he cant vote or is that just for the rest of us?3030wiz wrote:he is also still eligible for gov benefits, retirement, healthcare etc
Be polite, be professional, BUT have a plan to kill everybody you meet
-
- scout
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:40 pm
- Hunt or Fish: Equally Both
- Location: Vero Beach
Re: comes around goes around
If you cant vote you shouldnt be able to be voted for. Lots of NY mayors should be facing the same situation.
- GoodOyster
- Ain't as Good as I Once Was , But I'm As Good Once As I Ever Was!
- Posts: 3902
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 12:28 am
- Location: Sarasota, FL
- Contact:
Re: comes around goes around
Loss of rights such as being able to vote, owning firearms, etc. is not the same in every state, and can depend on if the charges were federal or state charges. So just the fact that you are a felon does not necessarily mean your rights are lost forever. They can be restored in some cases.
"My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!"
~Thomas Jefferson
~Thomas Jefferson
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest