By Larry Yellen, FOX 32 News Legal Analyst - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
It's been one week since Jesse Jackson Jr. signed a deal to plead guilty and Friday, there are signs in Washington that it could become official before the end of the day.
There are strong indications that the plea agreement is expected to be filed around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon.
The former congressman's plea agreement includes admissions that he misused campaign funds by using hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal expenses. He will also plead guilty to conspiracy, making false statements, and mail and wire fraud.
The illegal expenditures included dollars spent redecorating his homes in Washington and Chicago.
Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of between 46 and 57 months as well as a fine of $10,000 to $100,000, and forfeiture of a yet-to-be-determined portion of the misspent $750,000 in campaign funds. It'll be left up to a judge.
When Jackson resigned, he assumed full responsibility for any mistakes, but his wife Sandi Jackson is also under investigation, and her husband's plea agreement may not wrap things up for her.
Prosecutors have been attempting to get Sandi Jackson to sign a plea agreement.
She was his campaign manager and a paid consultant, and the feds are looking at whether she signed off on the illegal spending.
Once the former congressman's plea deal is filed with the clerk, a judge will be assigned to the case, and a date will be set for Jackson to be arraigned and enter his plea of guilty.
We'll be keeping an eye on the D.C. district court Friday and will have updates as warranted.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
