Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (left) and his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson (right) arrive at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., for their first appearance on charges connected to misuse of $750,000 in campaign funds. (Credit: CBS)
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Updated 02/20/13 – 8:15 a.m.
WASHINGTON (CBS) — Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, arrived at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., this morning. They are expected to enter guilty pleas to charges of misusing $750,000 in campaign funds, at separate hearings in federal court.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the Jacksons did not speak as they arrived at the courthouse. Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and his family were also at the courthouse.
Jesse Jr. was making his first court appearance later this morning. Sandi Jackson was set to appear in court this afternoon.
The former congressman is charged with conspiracy, for allegedly blowing $750,000 in campaign money on a personal slush fund; including a $43,000 gold plated Rolex watch, and a Michael Jackson fedora. His first court appearance is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Chicago time.
Sandi Jackson is charged with filing six years of false federal income tax returns. She is set to appear in court this afternoon.
They’ll likely sign guilty pleas, but won’t be sentenced for a few weeks at the earliest.
“They’re going to appear in front of a federal district court judge. They’re going to both be placed on recognizance bond that’s going to totally limit their lives,” said CBS 2 legal expert Irv Miller.
Miller said the judge could limit any travel the Jackson’s plan, and maybe set a curfew.
“Even controlling the amounts of alcohol they drink. Totally they’re going to be under the control of the federal district court,” said Miller. “They’re criminal defendants starting tomorrow.”
Defendants who he says will even have their own mugshots and fingerprints, too.
“Just like any other criminal defendant,” said Miller.
Sentencing dates haven’t been set, but CBS 2’s legal analysts expect Sandi Jackson will serve her time first, a shorter sentence than her husband, possibly even as little as probation.
Having Sandi serve her sentence first would allow Jesse Jr. to care for their two children until it’s his turn behind bars.
