Full Report On Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
News Stories
- Most corrupt politicians of 2009 named by Judicial Watch
January 1, 2010 - 'I don't feel any heat' in probe of Senate seat: Rep. Jackson
December 14, 2009 - Don't take state's corruption for granted
December 2, 2009 - Burris slapped by ethics committee
November 20, 2009 - House members under ethics scrutiny
October 31, 2009 - Ethics committee looking at Jackson's pursuit of Senate seat
October 30, 2009 - Your request is being processed... HuffPost's Congressional Ethics Clock: How Long Will Rangel, Ensign Probes Take?
October 26, 2009 - Democrats' ethics investigations spark GOP election hopes
October 18, 2009 - Congressional Ethics Inquiries Drag on, Despite Vows to End Corruption
October 18, 2009 - Jackson Pays $25,000 in Legal Fees
October 14, 2009 - Watchdog comes back to bite Democrats
October 13, 2009 - A Bunch of Hypocrites?
October 3, 2009 - For CBC, the joy is tempered by worry
September 22, 2009 - Ethics probes dog Burris, Jackson
September 22, 2009 - Jackson hits new low, makes 'Most Corrupt' list
September 20, 2009 - Jesse Jackson Jr.'s World of Woe
September 19, 2009 - Watchdog Names Most Corrupt Lawmakers
September 18, 2009 - House Ethics Panel Probes Rep. Waters
September 18, 2009 - House panel investigates Waters
September 17, 2009 - Feds turn up the heat on Jackson Jr.
September 17, 2009 - Rep. Richardson Makes 'Most Corrupt' List for 2nd Year
September 17, 2009 - Burris, Jackson Are Among "Most Corrupt"
September 17, 2009 - Report: Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. Used Staff in 'Public Campaign' for Obama's Senate Seat
September 17, 2009 - Click here to find out more! House ethics panel investigates Rep. Maxine Waters
September 17, 2009 - Home > News Jesse Jackson Jr.: House ethics probe of congressman's link to Rod Blagojevich case is sidelined
September 17, 2009 - Jesse Jackson, Jr. In Hot Water Again
September 16, 2009 - Ethics panel defers probe on Jesse Jackson Jr.
September 16, 2009 - Ethics panel delays probe in Ill. case
September 16, 2009 - Ethics Panel Puts Off Jackson Probe, Citing Justice Department Request
September 16, 2009 - Ethics Panel Probing Jackson Jr., Graves, Waters
September 16, 2009 - U.S. House panel probing ethics matters
September 16, 2009 - Ethics Committee Starts Probes of Two Lawmakers, Defers Another One
September 16, 2009 - House ethics panel defers probe on Jesse Jackson Jr.
September 16, 2009 - Democrats now comprise majority of ‘most corrupt in Congress’ list
September 16, 2009 - Visclosky named to 'most corrupt' list
September 16, 2009 - Watchdog CREW lists most corrupt members of Congress
September 16, 2009 - Mollohan calls corruption report ‘nonsense’
September 16, 2009 - Burris, Jackson land on watchdog's corruption list
September 15, 2009 - House Members Vote Today on Resolution Condemning the Mote in Joe Wilson's Eye
September 15, 2009 - Burris, Jackson among "15 most corrupt"
September 15, 2009 - Barbs? Charges? Tapes? Blagojevich Sees Lies! Lies! Lies!
September 9, 2009 - Blagojevich's brother: 'We are not guilty'
September 5, 2009 - 'This is just not fair. It's absolutely not fair:' Rob Blagojevich
September 4, 2009 - Blago's book of blame
September 1, 2009
The 15 most corrupt members of Congress
- Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
- Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)
- Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
- Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)
- Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)
- Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
- Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
- Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
- Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
- Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA)
- Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
- Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
- Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Dishonorable mentions
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., is an eight-term member of Congress, representing Illinois’ 2nd district. Rep. Jackson’s ethics issue stems from his bid to be appointed to a vacant Illinois Senate seat and subsequently, the federal investigation of former-Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Vacant Senate Seat
On December 9, 2008, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested by federal agents for what was described at the time as a “political corruption crime spree.” One of the central allegations against the governor was that he attempted to sell an appointment to the Senate seat vacated by then President-elect Obama.
In the affidavit supporting the arrest of Gov. Blagojevich, the governor is quoted stating he believed a particular candidate, later identified as Rep. Jackson, would “raise money” for him and that “he might get some [money] upfront.” The governor also claimed an “emissary” from Rep. Jackson came to him and offered to raise a total of $1.5 million for his campaign should Rep. Jackson indeed be appointed to the vacant Senate seat. In fact, the day before the governor’s arrest, Rep. Jackson met with him to discuss the vacancy.
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) launched a “preliminary review of Rep. Jackson’s actions surrounding his bid for appointment to the Senate seat.” OCE asked Gov. Blagojevich’s former staffers and campaign aides to turn over correspondence between Rep. Jackson and the governor. Additionally, the Department of Justice has interviewed Rep. Jackson and subpoenaed individuals with knowledge of Rep. Jackson’s alleged effort to raise funds for Gov. Blagojevich. If Rep. Jackson offered then-Gov. Blagojevich anything of value, including campaign contributions, in exchange for an appointment to the vacant U.S. Senate seat, Rep. Jackson may have violated Illinois bribery law.
Rep. Jackson has denied any wrongdoing and says he is cooperating with both investigations. In the first half of 2009, his campaign committee paid $18,697 in legal fees in addition to $100,000 paid in December 2008.
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