Former Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for spending $750,000 in campaign funds on living expenses and luxury items.
“I take responsibility for my actions and for everything I have done,” Jackson said while sobbing in court Wednesday.
Jackson and his wife, Sandi Jackson, used the money to purchase items like a $43,350 gold-plated Rolex watch, a $5,687 “holistic retreat” in Martha’s Vineyard and over $5,000 on capes and fur parkas. They also used the funds for daily living expenses such as dry cleaning and cosmetics.
The couple plead guilty back in February to misusing the funds and asked that they be given lighter punishments. Jackson asked that his wife be spared of a prison sentence, saying that he would take her jail time if she could not be granted probation. Sandi also asked that the judge have sympathy on their two children, ages 13 and 9, who would be effected by their prison terms.
“My heart breaks every day with the pain it has caused my babies,” said Sandi.
Jackson’s plea to take on his wife’s punishment was denied and she received a 12-month prison sentence.