Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. accused of squandering campaign funds on home décor

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
10/15/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

On medical leave from his political post, Jackson accused of suffering from 'entitlement disorder'

Redecorating your home can do much to lift a person's spirits. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., an Illinois congressman on medical leave for his bi-polar condition, did just that. The problem: the son of Jesse Jackson is now accused of squandering campaign funds in order to give his interior a splash of new paint. It's caused something of a ruckus. Anthony W. Williams, a Democrat write-in candidate from south suburban Dolton says the incident is "a reflection of his character . He suffers from entitlement disorder."

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Three weeks before the election, investigators are looking into whether Jackson Jr. used money from his House spending account to pay for the decor.

The Jackson family briefly put their Washington, D.C. home on the market last month for $2.5 million. There were talks about selling the home to pay for healthcare costs linked to Jackson's mental health treatment.

Jackson Jr. left his political post in Chicago last June.

This recent probe is unrelated to allegations Jackson tried to cut a deal with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to take now-President Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Those claims are under review by a House Ethics Committee.

The Wall Street Journal reports Jackson's lawyers "sought assurances from senior justice department officials" that he would not be indicted before the election.

Jackson's name still remains on the Nov. 6 ballot in the 2nd Congressional District. Jackson's wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson, however recently said she wasn't sure when her husband would return.

"I believe at some point in time he will come back," Ald. Jackson told reporters. "I don't know whether that will be before the election or after the election, but whenever that happens, we will welcome him."

These recent claims have brought forth much negative criticism of Jackson Jr. According to Marcus Lewis of south suburban Matteson, described the allegations as contemptible. "That's corrupt. And I said [to myself], "Thank you, now we know why you've been hiding.' . It's time for people to start thinking we have a great opportunity here."

Republican Brian Woodworth of Bourbonnais said Jackson was a "good Congressman" when he was first elected but has since lost the trust and true connection of constituents.

Williams and Woodworth are doubtful that Jackson will be re-elected.

"We don't have a voice in Congress," Woodworth said. "There isn't a voice in Congress. It's been silent for four months. And there's no promise that voice is coming back any time soon."

"The people deserve better," Williams said. "The seat does not belong to a person. It belongs to the people."

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: Jesse Jackson Jr., entitlements, home decor, criticism, bi-polar

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