WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Former U.S. congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., the son of a civil rights leader and a one-time rising star in Democratic politics, pleaded guilty today to misusing about $750,000 in campaign money.
Jackson, 47, of Chicago, wept quietly as he entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Washington, where Judge Robert Wilkins accepted the plea.
“Guilty, your honor. I misled the American people,” Jackson said after the judge asked his plea.
Credit: Reuters/Gary Cameron
Under an agreement with prosecutors, Jackson faces up to five years – the maximum prison sentence allowed by law.
Wilkins scheduled sentencing for June 28.
Jackson’s father, Jesse Jackson Sr., sat in the front row of a courtroom filled with family, friends and reporters during the hour-long hearing on Wednesday.
