Jesse Jackson, Jr. is headed to jail.
The former Illinois congressman who once seemed well positioned for a future presidential bid, was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison, after years of illegal misuse of campaign funds. It was the climatic end to a once promising career that crashed and burned.
Jackson funneled campaign funds into his personal bank account, then used it as “play money” to finance a lavish lifestyle. Fur coats, high-end memorabilia, vacations, jewelry — even rolls of toilet paper from Costco were all purchased with a campaign credit card Jackson used as if it were his own.
“I misled the American people, I misled the House of Representatives,” Jackson told U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson (no relation) as he wiped away tears. “I was wrong and I do not fault anyone.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves called Jackson’s crimes “staggering” since Jackson and his wife earned nearly $350,000 in 2011 and were not at all in financial desperation.
“These were extreme abuses that strike at the integrity of the campaign finance system,” Graves said.
Jackson requested to serve his sentence far away from family, friends and constituents and will get his wish. The judge ordered him to serve 30 months in an Alabama prison.
