Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandra Jackson have been charged in federal cases related to misusing approximately $750,000 of campaign funds. On Friday, the couple plead guilty in plea deals and now they both stand to serve time in prison.
The former congressman and his wife are charged with separate crimes. Federal prosecutors filed one charge of conspiracy against Jackson and one count of filing false income tax forms against Sandra, who served as her husband’s campaign manager.
According to Politico, Jackson conspired with his wife to spend campaign funds on personal items such as a $43,000 Rolex watch, home furniture, fur coats and memorabilia associated with Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Bruce Lee.
“I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made,” Jackson said in a statement. “To that end I want to offer my sincerest apologies to my family, my friends and all of my supporters for my errors in judgment and while my journey is not yet complete, it is my hope that I am remembered for the things that I did right.”
Since Jackson entered into a plea deal, he faces probation or up to 58 months in prison.
Sandra, who resigned from her position on Chicago’s City Council last month, is looking at up to three years prison time.
