Skip to main content


A list of what Jesse Jackson Jr. bought using his misspent campaign money

Could face sentence of 4 years or more.


Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. pled guilty in court today on charges that he conspired with his wife to steal away $750,000 in federal campaign finds to spend on his lavish lifestyle. He could face several years in prison.

Among the charges, Jackson Jr. managed to spend $243 on a teddy bear.

Among the charges, Jackson Jr. managed to spend $243 on a teddy bear.

CHICAGO, IL (Catholic Online) - Jesse Jackson Jr. admitted the plea today with documents being filed to show the extent of his lavish lifestyle supported with the stolen money.

The documents reveal that in January, 2006, Jackson opened a bank account under the name "Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress" and in the year that followed he withdrew $43,000 for a Rolex watch. He also took $14,000 to pay down personal credit card debt.

He purchased a number of other items, which prosecutors listed.

-$60,000 on dining out, nightclubs and lounges
-$31,000 on airfare
-$17,000 on tobacco shops
-$16,000 on sports clubs
-$14,500 on dry cleaning
-$8,000 on groceries
-$7,000 on taxidermy
-$6,000 on drug stores
-$5,800 on alcohol
-$4,000 for a cruise
-$243 for a "Build a Bear"


In all he made about 31,000 personal purchases using campaign funds. 

Jackson was caught in an FBI sting involving two elk's heads he had a taxidermist prepare. An undercover agent offered to pay $5,300 for the heads, and Jackson asked for the money to be wired to his personal account. This was the start of the FBI sting which eventually resulted in his arrest.

Jackson apologized as he left court today, and is now facing a potential sentence of about 4 years.

© 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM. 

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention:
The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Jesse Jackson Jr., sentence, campaign funds

NEWSLETTERS »

E-mail:       Zip Code: (ex. 90001)
Today's Headlines

Sign up for a roundup of the day's top stories. 5 days / week. See Sample

Rate This Article

Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 2 of 2 Comments

  1. brian v sitterley
    2 months ago

    $17,000 at the tobacco shop! Mo much for booze. The judge must realize this man's life hangs in the balance. If he is imprisoned for several years his lungs will clear out and somewhat repair. His liver will have a rest and be able to regenerate. Years may be added to his life. The right kind of mercy will keep him from temptations for years, and he may never resume these deadly vices. The wrong kind of mercy will enable him to lean on his vices for stress relief and die young.

  2. rafaelmarie
    3 months ago

    Like father, like son.

    A sense of entitlement is expensive.

    And so is sin.

Leave a Comment

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment


Newsletter Sign Up

Daily Readings

Reading 1, Sirach 5:1-8
Do not put your confidence in your money or say, 'With this I ... Read More

Psalm, Psalms 1:1-2, 3-4, 6
How blessed is anyone who rejects the advice of the wicked and ... Read More

Gospel, Mark 9:41-50
'If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong ... Read More

Saint of the Day

May 23 Saint of the Day

St. John Baptist Rossi
May 23: This holy priest was born in 1698 at the village of Voltaggio in ... Read More