The eldest son of famed U.S. civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for illegally spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.
Jesse Jackson Jr., 48, a former member of the U.S. Congress from Illinois, was sentenced in federal court in Washington on Wednesday. His 49-year-old wife Sandra, a former city council member in Chicago, was sentenced to a year in jail for filing false joint federal income tax returns.
Court documents say the Jacksons spent campaign money on TVs, restaurant dinners and costly personal items.
Jesse Jackson Jr. was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until he resigned last November.
His father, Jesse Jackson Sr., told reporters outside the courtroom that the ordeal has been "extraordinarily difficult" for the Jackson family.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
Jesse Jackson Jr., 48, a former member of the U.S. Congress from Illinois, was sentenced in federal court in Washington on Wednesday. His 49-year-old wife Sandra, a former city council member in Chicago, was sentenced to a year in jail for filing false joint federal income tax returns.
Court documents say the Jacksons spent campaign money on TVs, restaurant dinners and costly personal items.
Jesse Jackson Jr. was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until he resigned last November.
His father, Jesse Jackson Sr., told reporters outside the courtroom that the ordeal has been "extraordinarily difficult" for the Jackson family.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
