Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. likely to resign from Congress

Although Jackson, who now receives treatment at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder, won reelection easily, he faces jail and the loss of his pension over his misuse of campaign funds to decorate his home and splurge on a $40,000 Rolex for a female friend. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is under investigation for allegedly misusing campaign funds to decorate his home as well as to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch for a female friend.Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who is battling legal troubles and mental illness, is likely to resign from Congress and face jail time under the terms of a plea deal his lawyer is negotiating with the federal government.

CBS Chicago reported that Jackson’s lawyer, Dan Webb, is in talks with the U.S. Justice Department over the terms of the tentative deal. They include Jackson’s resignation from Congress for health reasons, a guilty plea related to misuse of campaign funds and the repayment of any funds he used for personal reasons.

The station said some jail time is also expected. It added that Jackson’s pension – expected to pay out up to $80,000 a year when the congressman turns 62 - is on the table as well.

Jackson is under investigation for allegedly misusing campaign funds to decorate his home and also to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch for a female friend, the Chicago Sun-Times reported last week.

Jackson, the son of The Rev. Jesse Jackson, is married to Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson.

The congressman took a medical leave of absence from Congress in June and was later revealed to be suffering from bipolar disorder. Since then he has mostly been absent from Washington as he receives treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Despite his legal and health troubles, Jackson was easily re-elected to his tenth term in Congress last week.

"My deep and sincere thanks to the people of the 2nd Congressional District, I am humbled and moved by the support shown today," Jackson said in a written statement published by NBC Chicago. "Everyday, I think about your needs and concerns. Once the doctors approve my return to work, I will continue to be the progressive fighter you have known for years. My family and I are grateful for your many heartfelt prayers and kind thoughts. I continue to feel better everyday and look forward to serving you."

POSTED BY: DARRICA