30 months prison for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
- Last Updated: 1:32 PM, August 14, 2013
- Posted: 1:21 PM, August 14, 2013
WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to two and a half years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to scheming to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.
Jackson, the 48-year-old son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. In an emotional speech to the judge during which he got choked up and used tissues to blow his nose, he apologized and said he wanted to "take responsibility for my actions."
"I misled the American people," he said.
Reuters
Jesse Jackson Jr., center, and his wife Sandi, right, arrive at court for their sentencing hearing today.
According to court papers in the case, Jackson used campaign money to buy items including a $43,350 gold-plated men's Rolex watch.
US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that as a public official Jackson was expected to "live up to a higher standard of ethics and integrity."
Jackson's wife, Sandra Jackson, also was to be sentenced Wednesday for filing joint federal income tax returns that understated the couple's income. She spent $5,150 in campaign funds on fur capes and parkas, court documents show.
Jesse Jackson Jr. had plead
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