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Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins 10th term Despite Fed Investigation


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Jesse Jackson Jr. in plea deal talks with feds, sources say

By MICHAEL SNEED msneed@suntimes.com November 7, 2012 9:51PM

Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins 10th term Despite Fed Investigation

Feds probe ‘suspicious activity’ in Jesse Jackson Jr.’s finances: sources

Updated: November 8, 2012 10:54AM

Sneed has learned U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who handily won re-election Tuesday despite a lengthy stay at Mayo Clinic for depression and bipolar disorder, is in the midst of plea discussions with the feds probing his alleged misuse of campaign funds.

“No one has pled guilty, but plea discussions are ongoing,” said a top Sneed source, who said Jackson is still undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic.

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Sneed is also told Jackson, who returned to Mayo Clinic after undergoing outpatient treatment in the seclusion of his home in Washington, D.C., is not only being investigated for allegedly using campaign funds to decorate his Washington home — but also Sneed hears he may also have used campaign funds to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch as a gift for a female friend.

An heir apparent to the beneficence and largesse of the Jackson dynasty, Jackson has been immersed in a cloud of federal scrutiny for the past three years.

In late 2008, Jackson, who desired the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president, was also mentioned in connection with the “pay to play” sale of that Senate slot that led to the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Jackson has always denied involvement and was never charged.

“This has been an ongoing nightmare for the Jackson family, particularly his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson, and the Reverend [his father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.],” added the source, who is familiar with the campaign funds probe.

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The latest FBI inquiry into Jackson’s possible misuse of campaign funds began before Jackson went on medical leave in June.

Disclosure of the new federal probe, conducted by the FBI’s Washington field office, was first reported by Sun-Times reporter Natasha Korecki last month.

In 2008, after Blagojevich was arrested, millionaire businessman Raghuveer Nayak, a Dem political fundraiser, talked to the feds. Nayak told them he, at Jackson’s request, paid for two airline trips for the congressman’s “social acquaintance” — a woman named Giovana Huidobro, a Washington restaurant hostess.

Huidobro subsequently told authorities she knew nothing of Jackson’s political dealings regarding the alleged sale of the Senate seat, but she said she flew to Chicago on several occasions for him and that Jackson sometimes reimbursed her for her travels.

As the Sun-Times reported in 2010, it did not appear Jackson, who denied any deal to buy a Senate seat, ever reported the flights for Huidobro as a gift on his House financial-disclosure statement.

In an exclusive interview in September 2010, Sandi Jackson told Sneed about her private anguish due to the “extramarital relationship” with the blonde nightclub hostess conducted by her husband — but they had decided to remain together and undergo marital counseling.

Nayak, who owns multiple outpatient surgery centers, was indicted in June on fraud and tax offenses for allegedly bribing physicians for patient referrals.

Jackson, meanwhile, is also facing a House ethics probe over his alleged involvement in the Blagojevich case.

◆ The buckshot: If Jackson, a 17-year veteran of Congress, opts to plead guilty to a federal felony — or goes to trial and is found guilty — he’d have to resign from the office he just won with a commanding 64 percent of the vote. A new election would then have to be called.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal last month, “attorneys for the lawmaker recently sought assurance from senior Justice Department officials to not seek an indictment before the November election.”

The Justice Department officials “refused to make such a promise,” according to the article.

Frank Watkins, a spokesman in Jackson’s congressional office, refused to comment on the potential plea deal.

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

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chickendance

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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Not only the fed investigation, the man is in the psych ward. The people that voted him backi into office is your typical Obama voter.

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Not only the fed investigation, the man is in the psych ward. The people that voted him backi into office is your typical Obama voter.

Takes some different perspective to dance in glee to place a man like this back in office doesn't it?

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

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Originally Posted By: OzarkWoman
Not only the fed investigation, the man is in the psych ward. The people that voted him backi into office is your typical Obama voter.

Takes some different perspective to dance in glee to place a man like this back in office doesn't it?

Yes!!!

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His constituents were compassionate enough to know that he is sick and need time to recover. I guess if he were republican it would be ok.

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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His constituents were compassionate enough to know that he is sick and need time to recover. I guess if he were republican it would be ok.

No it wouldn't be okay.Perhaps what would be okay is for you to quit deciding for others what they think.Compassion is not the issue.A mental disorder and being under federal investigation is.It would have removed any chance a republican had

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

Quotes by Susan Gottesman

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A mental disorder and being under federal investigation is.

Voters did not think depression was a reason enough to vote someone out of office. They also did not think being INVESTIGATED was enough either. A lot of politicians would have been voted out over the years if they were voted out because of an investigation.

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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Originally Posted By: bonnie
A mental disorder and being under federal investigation is.

Voters did not think depression was a reason enough to vote someone out of office. They also did not think being INVESTIGATED was enough either. A lot of politicians would have been voted out over the years if they were voted out because of an investigation.

Bi-polar is a little more than simple depression.Plea bargain considerations also indicate more than a casual interest. Coming out of the area he is,a death certificate would have had a hard time disqualifying him

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

Quotes by Susan Gottesman

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Bi-polar is a little more than simple depression.Plea bargain considerations also indicate more than a casual interest. Coming out of the area he is,a death certificate would have had a hard time disqualifying him

He might be Bi-Polar but more than anything, he is a criminal, which seems to suit the Illinois people quite well.

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Bi-polar is a little more than simple depression.

There's no such thing as simple depression. People can lead productive lives despite being bi-polar.

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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he is a criminal, which seems to suit the Illinois people quite well.

No presumption of innocence then?

What did you see in the investigators documents that led you to believe he was a criminal?

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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Originally Posted By: bonnie

Bi-polar is a little more than simple depression.

There's no such thing as simple depression. People can lead productive lives despite being bi-polar.

Really,I have known people that were mildly depressed.Not pleasant I am sure.Their treatment and recovery was a lot easier than those severely depressed.One of those people mildly depressed is doing very well,the other is dead.One functioned quite well,you had to really pay attention to realize something wasn't quite right.The other was almost paralyzed unable to cope with the simplest decisions

Yes people with bi-polar can live productive lives,again you are trying to imply something I never said.

Our little neighbor girl that dog sits for us lost her mother when she was 2 months old and has lived with her grandmother. Her mother,bi-polar was leading a productive life,caring for her infant daughter and then she was dead by her own hand.The grandmother is very thankful that she did not take her infant daughter with her.Leading a productive life does not mean it must be in a elected government position

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

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Like I said there is no such thing as simple depression. Dysthymia and Double Depression are the clinical terms. I think your implication is that being bi-polar is a disqualification for office.

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.

Einstein

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Like I said there is no such thing as simple depression. Dysthymia and Double Depression are the clinical terms. I think your implication is that being bi-polar is a disqualification for office.

I don't care what the terms are,there is a big difference in the people that suffer from mild depression and can function

and those that are almost "crippled" by it.Use whatever term you like,I am fairly certain you understood what I meant.

In his current position,should it disqualify him,yes. He has responsibilities and obligations to perform and has been unable to do so for quite sometime.He certainly cannot use sound judgement.But for him it probably doesn't matter,he never has so what else is new

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

Quotes by Susan Gottesman

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No presumption of innocence then?

What did you see in the investigators documents that led you to believe he was a criminal?

This might convince a few,but then there are many that really wouldn't care

Please note it is by CBS,not a right wing talk master

CHICAGO (CBS) – A former U.S. attorney representing embattled Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is negotiating a plea deal with the federal government, CBS 2 has learned.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine has the exclusive details.

The plea deal would end Jackson’s 17-year career as a congressman representing Chicago’s South Side and suburbs.

At the center of negotiations is white-collar criminal defense attorney Dan Webb, who served as Chicago’s top federal prosecutor in the 1980s, when several Cook County judges were indicted for public corruption under the “Operation Greylord” investigation.

Webb, the chairman of Winston & Strawn LLP in Chicago, has been the point person for Jackson in talks with the U.S. Justice Department in Washington.

The tentative deal includes:

–Jackson resigning for health reasons.

–His pleading guilty to charges involving misuse of campaign funds.

–The congressman’s repayment of any contributions that were converted to personal use, such as home furnishings, improper travel or gifts.

At least some jail time would appear to be inevitable for Jackson, the son of civil-rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and spouse of Chicago 7th Ward Ald. Sandi Jackson.

Webb was also involved in the high-profile political plea deal for the late Dan Rostenkowski, who pleaded guilty to converting a congressional postage allowance into cash for himself. Rostenkowski got 17 months in jail but kept his $126,000-a-year pension for the rest of his life.

The onetime chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee died two years ago.

Jackson’s pension for 17 years in Congress would be between 65,000 and $80,000 a year, plus health benefits. But he’s only 47 and won’t be eligible for pension payouts until 62.

Jackson’s pension is also part of the current negotiations.

The Congressman is currently being treated for a bi-polar disorder, both at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and as an outpatient at his home in Washington. He has been on medical leave since June and did not campaign in-person to be re-elected to his 2nd Congressional District seat. He won his bid Nov. 6.

Those who have seen and spoken with Jackson say there are serious doubts as to whether health issues would ever permit his return to Congress.

As for a timetable for the agreement, a source familiar with those negotiations said as soon as possible and probably by the end of the year.

Webb, reached Friday, had no comment.

If Jackson resigns, as expected, a special election will determine his successor. Jackson himself replaced the disgraced U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds in 1995.

CBS 2 Political Producer Ed Marshall contributed to this report.

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this.

Quotes by Susan Gottesman

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