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Convicted former Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi Jackson are going to jail, however, Jesse Jr. would like to serve his time before she serves hers.

In a federal court filing, his lawyers also said Jackson Jr. has no income other than Social Security payments and a federal pension.

“If he serves his period of incarceration first, Mrs. Jackson would be able to work and could stabilize the family’s finances,” the attorneys said.

The filings also show that the disgraced ex-politician is having problems paying the large fine levied against him by a federal judge.

Jackson Jr. is up the creek as they say because back in February he pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds. He acknowledged in court that he spent $750,000 of campaign cash on personal items — like a $4,600 Michael Jackson fedora, according to the charges against him — and pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements.

His wife, Sandi Jackson, a former Chicago City Council member, pleaded guilty as well to tax fraud.

As far as Jesse Jr.’s request to serve his time before Sandi serves hers, government prosecutors could care less. They say she shouldn’t get a break just because she was a good public servant and has family responsibilities.  The Jacksons have two children. Ages 9 and 13.

“Defendant was also a highly compensated, elected official,” a government document states. “Whose job was to represent and assist her constituents. She … should not get a variance for merely doing her job as a public servant.”

Jesse Jackson Jr., 48, a 17-year veteran of Congress, served from 1995 until he quit in 2012. Sandi Jackson, 49, served on the Chicago City Council from 2007 until she resigned in January.

On July 3rd, they will be sentenced by Judge Amy Berman Jackson (no relation) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

You can read the full story at the Chicago Tribune.

via EURWeb