It has all the intrigue and elements of a blockbuster Hollywood movie — a beautiful ingenue, million dollar promises, back room politics, and of course scandal. Except the trouble now surrounding Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. of Illinois is no film. It’s real life!
Jackson was already being investigated for potential involvement with embattled former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who is on record as looking for a big pay day to appoint someone to the former senate seat of President Barack Obama. Reports are that Jackson originally wanted the senate seat for himself so badly, he was willing to pay Blagojevich $6. million dollars to get it. But that was before the Feds stepped in, blew Blago’s cash game and forced him into a more legitimate appointment.
But wait — there is another twist to this story — and her name is Giovanna Huidobro. This Latin American blonde hostess from the Ozio Lounge in Washington, is a person of interest whom the FBI interviewed last year while investigating the Jackson/Blagojevich connection. And according to Democratic fundraiser Raghuveer Nayak, not only did the congressman ask him to offer Blagojevich millions in exchange for the Senate seat, but he twice paid for Huidobro to fly from Washington to Chicago to visit Jackson at his request. Interesting!
When the story broke last week, Jackson released a statement strongly denying Nayak’s claims, calling the allegations old news and “preposterous.” But since then, Jackson has had to address his connection to Ms. Huidibro, since he is said to be preparing a run for Mayor of Chicago. In the statement, Jackson didn’t admit nor deny any romantic connection to Ms. Huidibro, but only said it was “a private and personal matter between me and my wife that was handled some time ago,” and asked that reporters respect their privacy. Hmmm…
Looks like the Jackson apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
