Jackson Receives Federal Embezzlement Sentence
On Wednesday, August 14th, former Democratic representative Jesse Jackson, Jr was sentenced on federal court for embezzlement. For stealing $750,000 from his own campaign fund, Jackson received 30 months in prison.
Additionally, he will spent another 2 years on supervised release and will serve 500 hours of community service. Jackson’s wife, Sandra Jackson, will serve a year in jail after she pleads guilty to a tax charge related to the embezzlement of funds from her husband’s campaign.
The couple will also have to repay the $750,000, but they will pay no other fines.
Before hearing his sentence, Jackson openly wept in court.
“I let a lot of people down,” he said, blowing his nose and apologizing to the American people, his constituents and his family. He asked the judge to send him to prison in Alabama, “so I can be as far away from everyone.”
“I still believe in the power of forgiveness. I believe in the power of redemption. Today I manned up and tried to accept responsibility for the errors of my ways, and I still believe in the resurrection,” Jackson said, stepping into his car after the sentence hearing.
The couple pleaded guilty to federal charges of embezzlement in February. They said that, over the last 7 years, they had taken $750,000 out of Jackson’s campaign fund for personal use.
“For years I lived off my campaign,” Mr. Jackson, 47. “I used money I shouldn’t have used for personal purposes.”
Federal prosecutors wanted Jackson to serve 4 years on his federal embezzlement charges, while Jackson’s attorney asked for leniency, saying that Jackson “was not Bernie Madoff.”
Sandra Jackson also asked for leniency, asking for probation rather than 18 months incarceration. She cited the impact that incarceration would have on her children and her and her husband’s ability to care for them.
While Sandra Jackson will serve one year in prison and one year probation for the charges of embezzlement, the judge allowed the couple to stagger their sentences so at least one of them could be with their children. In June, Jackson asked to serve his sentence before his wife, and the judge granted that request.
Federal Embezzlement Charges in South Carolina
Embezzlement charges carry severe penalties. The defendant risks ruining his reputation and loss of employment even if they are later found not guilty of the crime. Punishments for those convicted of embezzlement can include fines, imprisonment, probation, payment of compensation and loss of legal rights among other potential punishments.
For an individual to be convicted of embezzlement, the prosecution must prove:
1. The defendant manipulated resources illegally
2. The victim entrusted the defendant with these
3. resources that were allegedly embezzled
4. The defendant intended to deprive the owner of
5. these resources
6. The defendant acquired access to these resources
7. through his/her employment
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Embezzlement and Other Federal Charges
If you or someone you know is facing embezzlement charges, contact our office today to get the help of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who can review your case and determine your best course of action. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.
