[Sun Times] U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who handily won re-election Tuesday despite a lengthy stay at Mayo Clinic for depression and bipolar disorder, is in the midst of plea discussions with the feds probing his alleged misuse of campaign funds."No one has pled guilty, but plea discussions are ongoing," said a top Sneed source, who said Jackson is still undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic.
Sneed is also told Jackson, who returned to Mayo Clinic after undergoing outpatient treatment in the seclusion of his home in Washington, D.C., is not only being investigated for allegedly using campaign funds to decorate his Washington home -- but also Sneed hears he may also have used campaign funds to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch as a gift for a female friend.
An heir apparent to the beneficence and largesse of the Jackson dynasty, Jackson has been immersed in a cloud of federal scrutiny for the past three years.
In late 2008, Jackson, who desired the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama
We're gonna punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us...
when he became president, was also mentioned in connection with the "pay to play" sale of that Senate slot that led to the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod
Y'gotta pay to play!Blagojevich
Who was tried and eventually convicted on federal corruption charges that he tried to sell or trade Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.
. Jackson has always denied involvement and was never charged.
"This has been an ongoing nightmare for the Jackson family, particularly his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson, and the Reverend [his father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.]," added the source, who is familiar with the campaign funds probe.