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| Jesse Jackson Jr charged with misusing campaign funds | Jesse Jackson Jr charged with misusing campaign funds |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A former congressman and son of a prominent civil rights leader has been charged with spending campaign funds on personal expenses. | A former congressman and son of a prominent civil rights leader has been charged with spending campaign funds on personal expenses. |
| Jesse Jackson Jr of Illinois is accused of misusing $750,000 (£483,000). | Jesse Jackson Jr of Illinois is accused of misusing $750,000 (£483,000). |
| The Democrat has not yet entered a plea but has released a statement accepting responsibility for "mistakes". | The Democrat has not yet entered a plea but has released a statement accepting responsibility for "mistakes". |
| Mr Jackson, 47, resigned in November weeks after winning re-election, after acknowledging he was being treated for bipolar disorder. | Mr Jackson, 47, resigned in November weeks after winning re-election, after acknowledging he was being treated for bipolar disorder. |
| "I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," Mr Jackson said. | "I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," Mr Jackson said. |
| Watches and fur capes | Watches and fur capes |
| His wife, Sandi, has also been charged with one count of tax fraud, after prosecutors accused her of filing false joint tax returns. | His wife, Sandi, has also been charged with one count of tax fraud, after prosecutors accused her of filing false joint tax returns. |
| She has pleaded guilty and has signed a plea agreement with prosecutors, her lawyer said. | She has pleaded guilty and has signed a plea agreement with prosecutors, her lawyer said. |
| Prosecutors said Mr Jackson "unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed" to commit offences against the US, according to court documents. | Prosecutors said Mr Jackson "unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed" to commit offences against the US, according to court documents. |
| Prosecutors say that between 2007 and 2009 Mr Jackson used campaign funds to buy a gold-plated Rolex watch worth $43,350, fur capes and parkas worth $5,150, and about $9,588 in children's furniture. | Prosecutors say that between 2007 and 2009 Mr Jackson used campaign funds to buy a gold-plated Rolex watch worth $43,350, fur capes and parkas worth $5,150, and about $9,588 in children's furniture. |
| He is also accused of failing to report $28,500 in gifts and loans to the House of Representatives, where he has served since 1995. | He is also accused of failing to report $28,500 in gifts and loans to the House of Representatives, where he has served since 1995. |
| Mr Jackson, son of Chicago civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison; his wife faces up to three years, according to federal sentencing guidelines. | Mr Jackson, son of Chicago civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison; his wife faces up to three years, according to federal sentencing guidelines. |
| But Mrs Jackson's lawyer said the plea deal "does not contemplate a sentence of that length". | But Mrs Jackson's lawyer said the plea deal "does not contemplate a sentence of that length". |
| Other penalties against Mr Jackson could include a fine of up to $250,000, US media report. In addition, authorities may try to seize more than $60,000 in memorabilia and furs linked to the alleged fraud. | |
| Mr Jackson has also been under investigation by the House ethics committee over his dealings with jailed ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of trying to auction off President Barack Obama's former US Senate seat to the highest bidder. | Mr Jackson has also been under investigation by the House ethics committee over his dealings with jailed ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of trying to auction off President Barack Obama's former US Senate seat to the highest bidder. |
| Mr Jackson resigned from office on 21 November. | Mr Jackson resigned from office on 21 November. |