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

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.

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.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'