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—a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson. His father ran for president in 1984 and 1988 and founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Growing up in the Jackson household meant constant exposure to politics and activism. Jesse Jr. attended St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., an elite preparatory school, before pursuing higher education. The weight of his father's legacy shaped his ambitions from an early age—expectations that would eventually lead him to Congress and contribute to the pressures behind his downfall.
Education
Jackson earned three degrees:
- Bachelor's in business management from North Carolina A&T State University (1987)
- Master of Arts in theology from Chicago Theological Seminary
- Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law
This combination of business, theological, and legal training reflected his broad political ambitions and connected him to both the Black church tradition and professional political leadership.
Political Career
Entry to Politics
Jackson worked on his father's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns before settling in Chicago, where he practiced civil rights law while positioning himself for elected office. His opportunity came in 1995 when Congressman Mel Reynolds resigned following a sex scandal conviction.
Jackson won the special election for Illinois's 2nd congressional district—a heavily Democratic, predominantly African American district covering Chicago's South Side and south suburbs. At 30, he became one of the youngest members of Congress and was immediately seen as a rising star with potential for higher office.
Congressional Service
Jackson served in the House from 1995 to 2012, winning reelection easily throughout his tenure. His legislative priorities included constitutional amendments for voting rights, education, and health care; economic development for his district; environmental justice; and civil rights issues.
He earned a reputation as a skilled orator and effective appropriator who directed federal spending to his district. However, critics noted his focus often seemed to be on higher office—he harbored ambitions for the Senate, Chicago mayoralty, or presidency—rather than day-to-day constituent work.
Blagojevich Scandal
In 2008, Jackson's name emerged in the Rod Blagojevich scandal. Governor Blagojevich was arrested for attempting to sell President-elect Obama's vacant Senate seat, and FBI wiretaps captured him discussing Jackson as "Senate Candidate 5"—someone whose associates allegedly offered $1.5 million for the appointment.
Jackson denied authorizing any offers and was never charged in connection with the Blagojevich case. However, the scandal devastated his reputation and ended his Senate ambitions. The taint hung over him for the remainder of his career.
Mental Health Leave
In June 2012, Jackson began an unexplained leave of absence that stretched for months. It was eventually disclosed he was receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder. Some observers speculated that his erratic campaign spending may have occurred during manic episodes, though this was never established as a legal defense.
Jackson won reelection in November 2012 despite being absent from the campaign trail, but the combination of his health crisis and the emerging federal investigation made clear his career was ending.
Resignation
On November 21, 2012, weeks after winning reelection, Jackson resigned from Congress. His letter to Speaker Boehner cited his health struggles and acknowledged the federal investigation, effectively signaling that criminal charges were coming. Robin Kelly won the special election to succeed him.
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 FCI Butner Medium II in North Carolina on November 1, 2013. The designation to Butner was influenced by Jackson's documented mental health needs—the facility's Federal Medical Center component offers comprehensive psychiatric services suited to managing his bipolar disorder during incarceration.
Prison Life
Jackson kept a low profile during his approximately 17 months at Butner. He received ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder, participated in available programs, and maintained family contact through visits and correspondence. The structured environment and consistent mental health care appeared to provide stability during his sentence.
Release
Jackson was released on March 26, 2015, after serving approximately 17 months with good time credits. He transferred to a halfway house in Washington, D.C., then completed three years 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
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.
References