Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. appeared in front of the U.S. District Court on Wednesday, Feb. 20 to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy. CBS News reported that Jesse Jackson Jr. acknowledged he misused hundreds of thousands of campaign funds.
Jesse Jackson Jr. was accused of using campaign funds for personal use by purchasing items for himself and his wife such as a Rolex, an autographed football, furniture and fur capes. The funds were also used to buy memorabilia of icons such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson and Jimi Hendrix.
Clearly Jesse Jackson Jr. recognized that it was time to come clean about his misuse of campaign funds in excess of $750,000 between Aug. 2005 and July 2012.
Eventually, Jesse Jackson Jr. stood in front of Judge Robert Wilkins to plead guilty to conspiracy charges. "I am guilty, your honor," Jackson said.
Conspiracy charges in the state of Illinois can carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison along with a fine of up to $250,000. However, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s attorney Reid Weingarten remains optimistic that Judge Robert Wilkins will be lenient considering Jackson's public service devotion.
"There is reason for optimism," Jackson's attorney Reid Weingarten said following today's hearing. "A man that talented, a man that devoted to public service...who has done so much for many...will and should get credit for it."
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