After Embezzlement Ruling, Jackson Jr Asks to Serve Sentence Before Wife
On Monday, June 17th, Jesse Jackson Jr asked a federal judge if he could serve his embezzlement prison sentence before his wife, Sandi, for the sake of their children.
In February, the couple pled guilty to federal charges of embezzlement. Jackson and his wife took $750,000 from Jackson’s Congressional campaigns over seven years, and reportedly spent the money on living expenses and personal items including fur capes, elk heads, and stuffed animals.
“For years I lived off my campaign,” Mr. Jackson, 47. “I used money I shouldn’t have used for personal purposes.”
Because the former Congressman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder II last August, his attorneys pled for a shorter sentence. Jackson received 48 months, and his wife received 18 months, for their roles in the embezzlement scandal.
Now, Jackson pled with Federal Judge Ann Berman Jackson (no relation) that he serve his embezzlement sentence before his wife, so that he can stabilize his mental illness, then focus on earning money for his family when he leaves prison. Initially, attorneys had suggested Sandi Jackson serve her much shorter sentence first, and so their children would not be without a parent.
“If he serves his period of incarceration first, Mrs. Jackson would be able to work and could stabilize the family’s finances,” the lawyers said. “By the time Mr. Jackson completes his sentence, the family would not be in the significant financial peril it is in today. ….the strain of waiting to begin serving his sentence would not be beneficial to Mr. Jackson’s state of mind or mental health.”
“Mr. Jackson’s health issues preclude him from working at this time,” his lawyers added. They added that the couple is now broke, and have no ability to pay a fine for embezzlement.
Jackson’s attorneys reported that the couple’s “net worth is lower than the amount of the agreed-upon forfeiture ($750,000), and is largely made up of the equity in their homes in Chicago and Washington, two retirement accounts and their automobiles.”
Earlier pleas from the Jacksons’ lawyers aimed at parole rather than prison time for the couple, because they had done “good works” while in office, and because Jackson’s mental illness would make prison very difficult for him, especially with the prison psychologists. The pleas were denied, however, reportedly because it was the couple’s job as public officials to do good works, and because no detailed information about the difficulty of Jackson’s mental illness was provided by his psychologists.
The Jacksons have two children, aged 9 and 13, who attend private school.
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:
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The defendant manipulated resources illegally
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The victim entrusted the defendant with these
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resources that were allegedly embezzled
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The defendant intended to deprive the owner of
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these resources
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The defendant acquired access to these resources
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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.
