Former Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to two and half years behind bars on Wednesday for misusing about $750,000 in campaign funds. His wife, Sandra Jackson, was also sentenced to exactly 12 months in prison for tax fraud. Both had pleaded guilty.
In a somewhat unusual move, the judge decided to stagger their sentences, allowing one parent to remain at home with their two children, who were not present Wednesday in court. Jesse Jackson Jr. opted to serve his sentence first, beginning on or after Nov. 1.
“I still believe in the power of forgiveness; I believe in the power of redemption,” said the 48-year-old former lawmaker to a reporter following the hearing. “Today I manned up and tried to accept responsibility for the errors of my ways. And I still believe in resurrection.”
In addition to jail time, Jackson will also face three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and continued mental health care, NBC News reports. Jackson resigned from Congress in 2012 to receive treatment for severe depression and bipolar disorder, his lawyers said.








