Ex-congressman Jesse Jackson Jnr accused of misuse of campaign funds
Ex-congressman son of civil rights leader spent thousands on showbiz memorabilia
Former US congressman Jesse Jackson Jnr has been accused of diverting US$750,000 of campaign funds for his personal use and spending large chunk of it on showbusiness memorabilia.
He is alleged to have splashed out thousands of dollars on Bruce Lee souvenirs and a US$4,000 guitar once owned by Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen.
The Illinois Democrat, the son of the noted civil rights leader, reportedly faces up to 57 months in prison after striking a plea deal with prosecutors, one of his lawyers said.
His wife, Sandra, was also charged with submitting false tax returns, according to documents filed in US Federal Court in Washington. Sandra, who has resigned as a city legislator in Chicago, also reportedly struck a plea deal. Jackson was charged with conspiracy, making false statements and fraud.
According to court documents, Jackson had a US$43,350 gold-plated men's Rolex watch that he bought with campaign funds shipped to Washington from Chicago in July 2007.
Nearly two months later, Jackson obtained two pieces of Bruce Lee memorabilia with campaign funds, each for US$2,000. The next year, Jackson obtained several more pieces of memorabilia with campaign funds, buying items that once belonged to the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jnr and Bruce Lee for more than US$17,000.
In 2009, Jackson obtained significantly more memorabilia with his campaign funds.