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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsReport: Jesse Jackson Jr. Insists On Disability Pay As Condition For Leaving Office
We have previously discussed how Jesse Jackson Jr. disappeared for months without explanation while federal investigators sought information on allegations that he tried to buy a Senate seat and that he used campaign funds on his home. He then was admitted to the Mayo Clinic for pyschological problems but insisted on running for reelection (without campaigning). He won handily and pledged to serve his constituents . . . while he reportedly negotiated a criminal plea bargain. He left Mayo and there is now a report that Jackson is demanding a disability package in return for leaving office.
Investigators are reportedly also looking into $42,000 that they believe Jackson paid to buy an alleged mistress a Rolex watch.
As a threshold matter, it is unclear to me why there are serious plea bargain and disability discussions if Jackson used campaign funds to improve his home. The late Sen. Stevens was prosecuted for such misconduct. This would be a case of theft from his campaign of $20,000. Average people go to jail for a fraction of that amount in cases of theft or fraud. However, this is the son the Jesse Jackson.
full: http://jonathanturley.org/2012/11/16/report-jesse-jackson-jr-insists-on-disability-pay-as-condition-for-leaving-office/
(No, Turley is not a right winger or Republican. He is a constitutional law professor who has regularly appeared on NPR, MSNBC, and Current TV and has written impassioned defenses of the First Amendment.)
dsc
(52,161 posts)that isn't to say he is or isn't right in this case, but he is a right wing guy. He gives no real source for any of his thoughts about what is or isn't being asked for so we have no idea if it is or it isn't. but look at BP. Apparently they are now going to get to get government contracts despite their criminal conduct in the gulf. I also have to say that talking about the Steven's prosecution without mentioning that his conviction was thrown out for government misconduct is pretty disingenuous.
1KansasDem
(251 posts)but I've never considered Turley a winger. Watching appearances on cable news networks he generally gives the air of a constitutional lawyer without political bias. Just sayin'
alp227
(32,023 posts)I can't copy every single hyperlink in his article.