Jesse Jackson Jr

Jesse Jackson Jr.
Born:	March 11, 1965 Greenville, South Carolina
Charges:
Sentence:	30 months in federal prison
Facility:	FCI Butner (medium-security)
Status:	Released (March 2015)

Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. is an American former politician who represented Illinois's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2012. The son of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, he was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. In 2013, Jackson pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud for misusing approximately $750,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including a Rolex watch and mounted elk heads. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and served his sentence at FCI Butner in North Carolina.

Early Life and Family

Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. was born on March 11, 1965, in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the eldest son of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson.

Growing up in the shadow of his famous father, Jackson Jr. was exposed to politics and activism from an early age. He attended the St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., an elite preparatory school.

Education

Jackson earned:

• Bachelor's degree in business management from North Carolina A&T State University
• Master of Arts degree in theology from Chicago Theological Seminary
• Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law

Political Career

Entry to Politics

Jackson Jr. worked on his father's presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, gaining experience in national politics at a young age.

In 1995, he won a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Mel Reynolds, who had resigned following a sex scandal conviction. At 30 years old, Jackson became one of the youngest members of Congress.

Congressional Service

Jackson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2012, representing Illinois's 2nd congressional district, which included parts of Chicago's South Side and south suburbs.

Legislative Priorities

During his 17 years in Congress, Jackson focused on:

• Constitutional amendments for the right to vote and the right to quality education
• Economic development for his district
• Health care access
• Environmental justice
• Civil rights issues

Jackson was considered a skilled orator and effective legislator, though his ambitions often exceeded his accomplishments.

Blagojevich Scandal

In 2008, Jackson's name emerged in the scandal surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Federal prosecutors alleged that an associate of Jackson offered Blagojevich a $1.5 million campaign contribution in exchange for appointing Jackson to the Senate seat. Jackson denied any wrongdoing and was never charged in connection with the Blagojevich case, but the scandal damaged his reputation and political prospects.

Mental Health Leave

In June 2012, Jackson began an unexplained leave of absence from Congress. It was eventually disclosed that he was receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions at the Mayo Clinic.

The extended absence, combined with the emerging investigation into his campaign finances, effectively ended his political career.

Resignation

On November 21, 2012, shortly after winning reelection, Jackson resigned from Congress. His resignation letter cited his health and the need to resolve legal issues.

The Fraud

Misuse of Campaign Funds

Federal investigators discovered that Jackson had systematically misused campaign funds for personal expenses over several years. The total amount exceeded $750,000.

Items Purchased with Campaign Funds

Among the items Jackson purchased using campaign money:

• A $43,350 Rolex watch
• $5,150 worth of fur capes and parkas
• $9,588 for children's furniture
• $10,105 in Bruce Lee memorabilia
• $4,600 for a fedora that allegedly belonged to Michael Jackson
• $11,130 in Martin Luther King Jr. memorabilia
• Mounted elk heads and other taxidermy
• Cashmere capes

The purchases painted a picture of extravagant personal spending using money that donors had contributed for political purposes.

Wife's Involvement

Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, was also implicated. She had served as an alderman in Chicago and had filed false joint tax returns that failed to report the income Jackson received from the misused campaign funds.

Guilty Plea

February 2013 Plea

On February 20, 2013, Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud in federal court in Washington, D.C.

In his plea, Jackson admitted to:

• Converting campaign funds for personal use
• Concealing the true nature of the expenditures
• Filing false reports with the Federal Election Commission

Jackson expressed remorse, telling the court: "I accept responsibility for my actions. I have no one to blame but myself."

Sandi Jackson Plea

Sandi Jackson pleaded guilty separately to filing false tax returns. Her case was handled to avoid having both parents incarcerated simultaneously, for the sake of their two children.

Sentencing

August 2013 Sentencing

On August 14, 2013, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson (no relation) sentenced Jesse Jackson Jr. to:

• 30 months in federal prison
• 3 years of supervised release
• Restitution of $750,000 to his campaign committee

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 46 to 57 months under federal sentencing guidelines. Jackson's attorneys requested a reduced sentence based on his mental health conditions and family responsibilities.

Judge's Remarks

Judge Jackson noted the seriousness of the offense, stating that the defendant had betrayed the trust of his constituents and donors. However, she also acknowledged his mental health struggles and family situation.

Sandi Jackson Sentence

Sandi Jackson was sentenced to one year in prison for her tax violations. The sentences were structured so that one parent could remain free while the other served time, minimizing the impact on their children.

Incarceration

FCI Butner

Jackson reported to Federal Correctional Institution Butner Medium II in North Carolina on November 1, 2013. Butner is a federal prison complex known for its mental health treatment capabilities.

Prison Life

During his incarceration, Jackson:

• Received ongoing mental health treatment
• Participated in prison programs
• Maintained contact with his family

Release

Jackson was released from federal prison on March 26, 2015, having served approximately 17 months of his 30-month sentence. He was transferred to a community corrections facility (halfway house) to complete his sentence.

He completed his term of supervised release without incident.

Post-Release Life

Personal Life

After his release, Jackson maintained a low public profile. He and Sandi Jackson separated and eventually divorced.

Jackson has discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder publicly, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness.

Employment

After completing his sentence, Jackson has worked in private business ventures, though he has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Continued Restitution

Jackson was required to pay back the $750,000 in misused campaign funds, a process that continued for years after his release.

Legacy

Political Impact

Jackson's fall from grace was particularly notable given his family's civil rights legacy:

• His father, Jesse Jackson Sr., had been a leader in the civil rights movement and a two-time presidential candidate
• Jesse Jr. was seen as carrying on the family's political tradition
• His conviction was viewed as a betrayal of that legacy

Lessons for Campaign Finance

The case highlighted weaknesses in campaign finance oversight:

• Years of violations went undetected
• The FEC's limited enforcement capabilities were exposed
• The case prompted calls for stronger campaign finance monitoring

Mental Health Discussion

Jackson's case brought attention to mental health issues in public life:

• His bipolar disorder was cited as a contributing factor in his behavior
• The case raised questions about how mental health is addressed in politics and the legal system

See Also

• Wire Fraud
• Mail Fraud
• Campaign Finance Violations
• Rod Blagojevich

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Jesse Jackson Jr.?

Jesse Jackson Jr. is a former U.S. Congressman from Illinois and the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. He served in Congress from 1995 to 2012 and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for misusing $750,000 in campaign funds.

Q: What did Jesse Jackson Jr. go to prison for?

Jackson pleaded guilty to wire fraud and mail fraud for using approximately $750,000 in campaign contributions for personal expenses, including a Rolex watch, fur coats, Michael Jackson memorabilia, and mounted elk heads.

Q: How long was Jesse Jackson Jr. in prison?

Jackson was sentenced to 30 months and served approximately 17 months at FCI Butner in North Carolina before being released to a halfway house in March 2015.

Q: What happened to Sandi Jackson?

Sandi Jackson, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife and former Chicago alderman, pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns and was sentenced to one year in prison. She served her sentence after her husband was released.

Q: Does Jesse Jackson Jr. have bipolar disorder?

Yes. Jackson has publicly discussed his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which was a factor considered at his sentencing. He received mental health treatment during his incarceration at FCI Butner.