Jesse Jackson, Jr. Seeking Plea Deal, $40,000 From Campaign Cash Bought Rolex Watch For ‘Female Friend’ Is Rumored

There is no way not to say that Jesse Jackson, Jr. has disgraced the family name.

Sneed has learned U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who handily won re-election Tuesday despite a lengthy stay at Mayo Clinic for depression and bipolar disorder, is in the midst of plea discussions with the feds probing his alleged misuse of campaign funds.

“No one has pled guilty, but plea discussions are ongoing,” said a top Sneed source, who said Jackson is still undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic.

Sneed is also told Jackson, who returned to Mayo Clinic after undergoing outpatient treatment in the seclusion of his home in Washington, D.C., is not only being investigated for allegedly using campaign funds to decorate his Washington home — but also Sneed hears he may also have used campaign funds to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch as a gift for a female friend.

 

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Needs To Resign As He Is Unable To Fill Responsibilities Of Office

I am not using a cheap shot here on  Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., nor in minimizing the effects of bi-polar disease.  But there comes a time when a congressperson has to decide which path to take based on an illness.

Instead of using his illness for his political purposes, and that is what I strongly suggest he is doing as the feds move in tighter with their legal net aimed at highlighting his past actions, Jackson instead should just resign from office.

His constituents deserve a functioning member of Congress who is not always running from the press so not to answer questions about allegedly shady dealings.

After making some unfavorable press this week Jackson has decided he needs to be in Mayo for more treatment.

That very well may be the medical case.

But the citizens are in need of a congressperson who can do the job and fulfill the responsibilities of the office.  Where should they travel to for representation?

While this blog has supported the policy agenda of Jackson there is also a continuing theme on CP of making sure responsible and well-intentioned people both seek and serve in elected office.

For the past five months Jesse Jackson, Jr has not acted in behalf of his constituents, but instead sought refuge in a medical diagnosis that either has so badly disabled him that he can no longer serve in office, or has become a useful tool to dodge an honest dialogue with press and those who elected him.

Either way, it is time for Congressman Jackson to resign.

Or does Jackson think he might be better just in time to stand near the aisle for an autograph during the State of the Union address?

Jesse Jackson, Jr. Pulling A Fast One Over His Constituents

There is no way to be amused with the actions of Jesse Jackson, Jr.

While we all can understand illness, in this case the Chicago congressman has been suffering from bi-polar disorder, no one should be accepting the larger story that has been pedaled for at least the past four months.

The fact is there is a raft of legal problems Jackson is facing, with even an indictment perhaps being handed down against him.

The elected official has not been seen by his constituents since June.

Well that is not entirely correct.

Jackson is not able to see his constituents because there might be press around who are surely to ask lots of more than legitimate questions.  So instead of talking with those he is supposed to represent Jackson smokes cigars at home, picks his kids up from school while driving his car, and visits a local bar where he sits in the back.

This secrecy and seclusion from constituents is just not the way for a public official to conduct themself–especially one that is on the ballot for reelection this November.

This is most unacceptable behavior.

While all can have empathy for those suffering from bi-polar illness, no one should he lulled into thinking that his illness is also not being used as cover to stay out of the public light at this most sensitive time as the legal dragnet closes around him.

That is no way for a congressperson to act.

His constituents haven’t seen him in four months. His staff insists he is too depressed for public appearances. But The Daily found Jesse Jackson Jr. smoking a cigar on the stoop of his $1.3 million home yesterday, the same day he was accused of bilking his campaign funds and drinking away his nights with women who aren’t his wife.

In his first interview since taking a leave of absence in early June, the Illinois congressman — sitting with his father, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson Sr. — talked about his health and how he is spending his time with Election Day less than a month away and his job on the line. In late summer, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson announced that her husband had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was being treated at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Jackson told The Daily that he is “not well” and has doctor’s appointments twice a day at George Washington University Hospital, not far from his home in the trendy DuPont Circle neighborhood: “I go over there … at 10 [a.m.] and 1 p.m.”

When The Daily’s photographer took his picture earlier in the day, Jackson explained he had been “picking up my kids.” He didn’t elaborate on whether he was headed to the school or had just returned when he decided to take a cigar break on the steps, resting his lit Monte Cristo on a wall leading up to the front entrance of his red-brick Victorian. On the driveway were a cigar butt, a cigar band, a half-foot pile of ashes and a nearly full box of matches.

Jackson didn’t address the allegation that he misused money from his supporters — to decorate his home. One of his hometown newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times, reported that Jackson is being investigated by the FBI and could be indicted before Nov. 6, when voters in the 2nd District will cast their ballots. The Justice Department is also looking into whether Jackson tried to buy the Senate seat left open when Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008.

In a brief interview alone before going into his son’s house, Jesse Jackson Sr. told The Daily that his son is “just trying to clear his head. He’s been under medical supervision.”

Jesse Jackson Sr. told The Daily that he had not spoken with his son in two or three days.

“I don’t know his routine,” the father said.

Jesse Jackson Jr. showed up at the Bier Baron Tavern last Tuesday and Wednesday, the first time he had been seen in a public place since going on leave.

Jackson caught the attention of both patrons and the staff. A server who would identify himself only as “Frank” told The Daily that Jackson was with a group that included both men and women.

“He was here. He was drinking. He was with other people,” Frank said. “I personally didn’t serve his table.”

Jackson’s home is on the delivery route that Anthony Short drives for UPS. He often sees the congressman outside.

“Most of the time he’s talking on his damn phone,” Short told The Daily. “He has a cigar and is puffing away.”