Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (left) and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (Credit: David Banks/Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO (CBS) — An ethics investigation centering on U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. won’t be going away anytime soon.
Congressional investigators have revealed for the first time that they have more questions about whether Jackson tried to buy President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.
The Office of Congressional Ethics now says they also believe Jackson improperly used his Washington and Chicago staffs to mount a “public campaign” to secure that appointment.
Jackson maintains his innocence, saying in a statement: “The Ethics Committee will continue their legal responsibility and I will continue to fully cooperate with them. At the end of the process I still believe I will be vindicated.”
Jackson his accused of directing staffers in 2008 to raise money for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In return, Blagojevich would appoint Jackson to President Obama’s old Senate seat. Blagojevich is scheduled to be sentenced for a variety of corruption convictions, including efforts to trade the Obama appointment.
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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says Jackson deserves the benefit of the doubt.
“I think we owe it to him and to the cause of justice not to jump to conclusions. Let the House Ethics Committee do their job,” he said.
But the senator stopped short of endorsing Jackson.
“I’m not going to make any endorsement in that race,” he said. “I think you can understand that.”
Congressional opponent Debbie Halvorson says the seven-term congressman is clearly distracted.
“The first thing I thought of was this could go on for years,” Halvorson said. “And here we are, just another day where constituents aren’t getting taken care of.”
15 Comments
Did they also discover that the sun rises in the East!? Not holding my breath for the big slap on the wrist.
December 2, 2011 at 11:34 am
Ofcourse we all know the only reason they pick on poor jessee jr. is because he’s black!!
December 2, 2011 at 11:54 am
And that’s going to be the same reason that nothing happens !!!!!
December 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm
EXACTLY!!! This @ ss hole should be doing time!!
December 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm
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ya’ll jus” messin” wif him ’cause he Black!!!
December 2, 2011 at 3:08 pm
You know it’s only a matter of time before the main “mug-fug” opens his yap. Good luck picking out the words that we can all understand!!! Just remember that MLK dies in Jesse Sr.’s arms………………………although it’s been proven that he was hiding like the coward he is !!!!
December 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Let’s think common sense. If Blagojevich was convicted with trying to sell the Senate seat, he had to be talking to someone to sell it. Don’t you think? That has never been resolved. The question is who? Blagojevich is talking and someone will listen to him, and that will be there lead.
December 2, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Fact: Jesse Jr can NOT be trusted in an area where integrity is a must.
Just look at this marital affair . He betrayed his wife and vows.
This speaks loudly and says a lot about his integrity, Let’s put aside the race card and look at the man’s life and that will speak loudly. Always be ware of a man who does a lot of talking and not listening. This is because he won’t let his guard down.
December 2, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I’ll gladly put aside the race card, when “they” do ! I TOTALLY agree with your statement about integrity, but the apple never falls far from the tree now does it?? Simply take a look at his daddy!
December 2, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Say what you will about Jr., but it seems that when you are being investigated or proven guilty of a crime it guarantees your reelection. Think his people will vote for him next spring or will they elect Debbie Halvorson who has a proven record of working FOR the people? Interesting. . .
December 2, 2011 at 4:58 pm
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December 2, 2011 at 5:26 pm
He is guilty of trying to buy the senate seat and guilty of perjury for lying under oath about it. Let’s see if prosecutors go after Jr. with the same tenacity they did with Blago. He deserves the cell next to Blago.
December 2, 2011 at 8:01 pm
This negro slaves needs punished the CONFEDERATE way. And what way is that boys and girls?
December 3, 2011 at 7:04 am
A Confederate horse whip, Mr. Davis!
December 3, 2011 at 8:41 am