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* UPDATED x1 - Jackson leaves Mayor Clinic * Report: Feds threaten Jackson’s wife

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*** UPDATE *** We may be getting close to closure…

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has left the Mayo Clinic, where he has been receiving treatment for bi-polar depression.

Mayo Clinic spokesman Nick Hanson confirmed to NBC Chicago that Jackson Jr. was no longer a patient at the Rochester, Minnesota hospital.

Jackson Jr. spokesman Frank Watkins, who is located in Washington D.C., said he wasn’t aware the congressman had left the clinic.

“I know nothing,” Watkins said. “I was informed by the Trib.” The Chicago Tribune reported that Jackson Jr. had left the clinic at around 11:00 a.m.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* This is why you never, ever want the feds on your tail…

The Justice Department probe into Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (Ill.) over alleged misuse of campaign funds has broadened to include his wife, Chicago Alderwoman Sandi Jackson, The Wall Street Journal reports.

In a report Tuesday, the Journal said prosecutors are investigating whether Sandi Jackson was complicit in the alleged use of campaign money to redecorate the family’s Washington, D.C., home.

Prosecutors have not decided whether they will press criminal charges against Sandi Jackson, and sources in the report suggested that federal lawyers are using the threat of charges to pressure Jesse Jackson to accept a plea deal.

Unlike the mob, the feds will target your family. They’ll go after your friends. They’ll do whatever it takes to convince you to play ball.

* And the pressure appears to be working…

Just days after winning a handy reelection to his Chicago-area district, 17-year Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Ill., has entered negotiations for a plea deal that would include his resignation from Congress and likely jail time.

Jackson, Jr., the son of civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., and husband to Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, has not yet pleaded guilty to alleged misuse of campaign funds to decorate his house and purchase a $40,000 Rolex watch for a female friend. But CBS Chicago reports the congressman’s lawyer, white-collar criminal defense attorney Dan Webb, is negotiating with the federal government a plea bargain that will likely be reached by year’s end.

The tentative deal includes Jackson, Jr.’s resignation from Congress for health reasons, a “guilty” plea involving misuse of campaign funds, and repayment of any contributions that were converted to personal use. At least some jail time is expected. Jackson, Jr.’s pension, which would pay out between $65,000 and $80,000 a year when he turns 62, is also part of the talks.

* Related…

* Cellini gives up bid to remain free, will go to prison Jan. 4: Defense attorney Thomas Kirsch II told The Associated Press that Cellini also is considering forgoing any appeal, even though Cellini believes he would prevail, Kirsch said. The appeals process would take longer than Cellini’s sentence, he said, and Cellini and his family want to put the legal saga behind them as quickly as possible.

* Kadner: Jesse Jackson Jr.’s saga of failure and betrayal

* Chicago mayor: Jackson should tell his intentions

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 8:58 am

Comments

While I agree that the Feds will go after your spouse, kids and dog to get you to plea, I think Sandi is a pretty fair target. I just don’t see how he could be spending large amounts of campaign funds on redecorating his home without his wife (who is also receiving huge amounts of his campaign funds) having some idea where it was coming from.

Comment by ChicagoR Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:10 am
Raise your hand if you are surprised Sandi, the entitled spouse, is under investigation , or if you are surprised the Feds are using her as bait to extract some more pain or restittuion from J3. It appears they both may be going down in flames together..

Comment by Mr.Big Trouble Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:14 am
“Fine, fight us. We get it.

One more thing, ‘Congressman’…your wife, ‘Alderman’ Jackson … she have the same lawyer, if we have to contact them?

Have a good day.”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:15 am
You make it sound as if the FBI’s tactics are illegal, immoral or somehow wrong. The legitimate reason is pretty clear in the article. As for the mob not targeting your family, that is Hollywood myth.

Comment by Lobo y Olla Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:15 am
That was me, sorry!

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:15 am
So I might have missed on her being appointed to replace JJJ.

Comment by nieva Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:25 am
Golllllly! I guess my suggestion that Sandi Jackson had to the potential for culpability for the house renovations wasn’t out of line after all. Eh, Rich? So much for deleting that one.

Comment by Brendan Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:32 am
I only hope that this is the end of their dynasty that has served them, not their constituents, very well…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:36 am
–Unlike the mob, the feds will target your family. They’ll go after your friends. They’ll do whatever it takes to convince you to play ball.–

Once they’re on you, they’re on you for everything. And they like their 90%-plus conviction rate.

This started out as a look-see on trying to buy the Senate seat. Now they’re on to campaign funds for personal use. Clinton’s special prosecutor somehow morphed from real estate to Monica.

I’m certainly not offering any defense of Trips. He knew the rules and the risks.

Spending $40K in campaign cash on a watch for a lady friend, and thinking you could get away with it, is the height of stupidity and arrogance.

Well, maybe not the height. In recent days, the bar seems to be getting raised by the minute.

It is as it has always been in every culture, every era, for all time: When it comes to a man’s brain and his unique vital organ, there’s only enough blood pumping to keep one of them operating at maximum production at any one time.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:40 am
Roland Burris is waiting in the wings for the appointment!

Comment by Kerfuffle Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:54 am
I don’t believe that the feds threatened Blago with going after Patti, and I thought that she was on at least one of the Blagojevich tapes. There probably isn’t a doublestandard - probably a difference that I’m missing here.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 9:55 am
Robert, I don’t think the feds were interested in a plea deal with RRB anyway.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 10:01 am
Over the weekend, I saw the Kadner article that Rich linked to and I’ve got to agree with the basic premise of it that no matter what you think or thought of J3, it’s pretty sad to someone completely implode like this.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 10:02 am
Any plea deal that includes his resignation should also include a clause that prohibits Sandi from being the candidate in the special election to replace him

Comment by Hank Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 10:43 am
She should also be forced to step down and the sun- times should cancel the fathers oped. Enough with these clowns.

Good riddance.

Comment by shore Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 10:47 am
I’d rather the Justice Department just file charges and everyone get’s their day in court. That’s the way the system is designed to work.

There’s something sinister about an arm of the Executive compelling Congressional resignations by threatening to charge family members — all behind closed doors.

You don’t have to like the Jacksons to be uneasy about that.

File your charges in the light of day. You’re prosecutors, not judge, jury and executioner.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 10:56 am
“Unlike the mob”, really? Where did that BS come from? Trying to make the mob sound more moral than the feds?

The decades of mooching by the Jackson family are coming to a pitiful end. Do you remember the taunt of ‘bring it on?” I guess they did.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:08 am
===“Unlike the mob”, really?===

It was meant to be a joke. Take a breath.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:10 am
“File your charges in the light of day”

I agree that a trial is preferable. In my mind it is a political favor to allow a plea deal. If multiple family members are guilty of criminal activity, then they should all be prosecuted.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:13 am
–The decades of mooching by the Jackson family are coming to a pitiful end.–

More mooching, huh?

They were elected. You might not like the results, but that’s the way it is in a democracy.

If they committed crimes, charge them in open court, present the evidence, let them put on a defense and let the judge and jury decide.

Unless you think it’s healthy in a democracy for the executive to wield the hammer of never-ending indictments to compel resignations from the legislative branch.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:13 am
Think of a federal investigation as pulling a string on a sweater. Often it will end there.

Other times everything starts to unravel and you have little idea where it will ago go.

Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:14 am
Tribune is reporting Jackson has left the Mayo Clinic.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:21 am
Alright, so this story has wrapped up. Let’s move on… who will run in the special?

Comment by Knifefighter Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:23 am
The Trib is reporting that J3 left the Mayo Clinic earlier this morning.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:28 am
There’ll be a ‘Jackson’ in the special election. Whether it’s the brother or Kenny Johnson or a former CoS, the Jacksons have a deep bench. They’ll likely lose to someone from the Preckwinkle gang (or a wildcard), but don’t trouble yourselves over whether Sandi is running.

Comment by Hammer Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:40 am
@Word.

J3 has a good lawyer looking out for his interests. If j3 want’s trial I’m sure the fed’s would oblige.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:48 am
$40,000 Rolex for a gift? Real man of the people. Gotta wonder what is the tipping point in a career where ‘campaign’/'city’/'organizational’ money becomes ‘my’ money to spend as needed? Quite a number of these stories lately. The temptation when the opportunity presents itself must be overwhelming.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:55 am
“More mooching, huh?”

Yep. Becoming millionaires on the backs of the poor you supposedly represent without craven self enrichment takes a special kind of evil.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:55 am
–Yep. Becoming millionaires on the backs of the poor you supposedly represent without craven self enrichment takes a special kind of evil.–

Maybe those “poor” people need a firm, paternal hand to do their thinking — and voting — for them. Have anyone in mind?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:58 am
Jackson is not the only one to do this, but it would be great if someone took a deep look into the legal status of paying one’s own spouse for “consulting” (or whatever) using campaign funds.

It may be legal but it stinks to high heaven.

When Jesse Jackson pays Sandi Jackson for consulting, the money is going into their mutual household budget. He is essentially using his campaign funds to support his lifestyle. Supposedly the house is Washington is very nice. Why didn’t he just pay Sandi enough to cover the redecorating- that would have been legal, I suppose.

I can’t agree with Kadner that there’s anything sad about Rep. Jackson’s situation. As Grandma used to say, you’ve made your bed, now go lie in it.

Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 11:59 am
–J3 has a good lawyer looking out for his interests. If j3 want’s trial I’m sure the fed’s would oblige. –

George, the difference is, the feds decide when they want to make a deal behind closed doors, and when they want to go for the max at trial.

Even if you beat the feds in court, to compete with their unlimited resources, you have to ruin yourself financially.

That goes for big fish like Trips, and the little fish they gobble up to go after them.

Cooperate, and we’ll get you a slap on the wrist like Blago’s chiefs of staff. Refuse to cooperate, and we’ll line you up time and time again and ruin you, like Chris Kelly.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Word, well said, all day.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:05 pm
Only the defendant can initiate plea agreements. Usually because his attorney has seen the evidence. You really think Winston & Strawn are not leading the march to plea? A trial would be great fun for wordslingwer and Willy, but JJJ is looking out for himself, again. No one wants their mistress on the stand under oath.

Comment by Lobo Y Olla Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:06 pm
“Have anyone in mind?”

Sure, any number of worthy Democrats could do the job without stealing from the poor.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:08 pm
Why does the Mayo clinic allow itself to be part of this charade?

Comment by For shame Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:13 pm
Pluto, I was referencing the voters. You seem to think they don’t have it in them to make their own choices.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:18 pm
The “content of his character” will shortly be on display for all to see.

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:25 pm
===Why does the Mayo clinic allow itself to be part of this charade?===

The Mayo Clinic has in impeccable record, and if you think the Mayo Clinic would chose a Congressman’s issues versus a patient’s illness and the patient’s true treatment, I can not help you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:44 pm
== Why does the Mayo clinic allow itself to be part of this charade? ==

The Mayo Clinic (or Mayo Brothers as my dad calls them) is treating the man, considering the quality of care my folks get from them in AZ (top notch) I can safely say they do what is best for the patient regardless if they are congressman or a retired equipment mechanic.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:48 pm
Should the headline read “Mayo Clinic?”

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 12:50 pm
Mayor Clinic sounds cooler..

Also gives me the mental image of a Dr. Richard Daley giving you about 6 hemming and hawing diagnoses…

Well I don’t say it is shingles, you guys say it’s shingles, it might just be a cold, aww come on you always want to make things sound worse…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 1:11 pm
I like Mayor Clinic a lot. They deserve their own facility.

==It was meant to be a joke.== There’s enough criticism of Federal prosecutors on this site that the humor didn’t come through. I’m all for them doing whatever it takes to put these guys where they belong. No doubt there are some abuses, but I think it’s better than letting the pol criminal class run free without interference.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 1:26 pm
don’t think Sandi is a ploy to get him to give things up. she’s in on her own in so many ways. would be really sad for the kids.

Comment by amalia Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 2:14 pm
JJJ’s wife might be a knowledgeable accomplice in spending campaign funds on hime improvements and then not reporting it on their joint tax return — but a bigger fish here is his dad - Jesse Jackson,Jr. Wasn’t he the million dollar messenger in the attempt to bribe Blago for the senate appointment for his son? How come no one goes after him?

Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 2:51 pm
After further due diligence, AA retracts my previous post re: the impossibility of spending $40 large on a Ladies’ Rolex.
It is in fact possible to spend that, and more.
Tacky and blinged out. For my $40K, I would rather have a nice new pickup truck and spend the change on gas.

To the post, a couple things-
Interesting, maybe sad coincidence that Trips and Uncle Bill have the same lawyer. Does that mean Trips will get the Eddie V Special sentence?
I made the acquaintance of Trips’ brothers, separately, through business and personal relationships awhile back. Yusuf, the beer guy, has no discernable interest in elected office. Jonathan, also a businessman, is a bright guy but much more introverted and quiet than his brothers. Don’t know if he would enjoy it too much out on the trail.

him out on the trail.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 13, 12 @ 3:52 pm