Jackson Jr. taken into custody
Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been taken into federal custody to begin serving his 30-month prison sentence.
Bureau of Prison spokesman Chris Burke told The Associated Press that Jackson (D-Ill.) was taken into custody Tuesday morning, but provided no further details.
The Chicago Tribune had reported earlier Monday that a North Carolina prison had turned the disgraced congressman away.
Last August, Jackson was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to misusing more than $750,000 in campaign cash. He spent the money on luxury items such as a Rolex watch, two mounted elk heads, Michael Jackson’s fedora, mink capes, and on vacations.
His wife also pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns. She’s slated to serve a one-year prison term after her husband completes his sentence.
{mosads}Jackson, 48, was not officially required to surrender until Friday, when he was due to begin the prison term at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) accompanied Jackson to the prison, according to ABC affiliate ABC7.
“Congressman Jackson and I have been good friends for many years and I am happy to report that he is in good spirits, all things considered,” Butterfield said in a statement.
Jackson was first elected to Congress in 1994, and served 17 years until he resigned in 2012. He reportedly left because of health problems including depression.
He and his wife have a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Jesse Jackson III.
— This story was first posted at 10:48 a.m. and has been updated with new information.
Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been taken into federal custody to begin serving his 30-month prison sentence.
Bureau of Prison spokesman Chris Burke told The Associated Press that Jackson (D-Ill.) was taken into custody Tuesday morning, but provided no further details.
The Chicago Tribune had reported earlier Monday that a North Carolina prison had turned the disgraced congressman away.
{mosads}Last August, Jackson was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to misusing more than $750,000 in campaign cash. He spent the money on luxury items such as a Rolex watch, two mounted elk heads, Michael Jackson’s fedora, mink capes, and on vacations.
His wife also pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns. She’s slated to serve a one-year prison term after her husband completes his sentence.
Jackson, 48, was not officially required to surrender until Friday, when he was due to begin the prison term at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) accompanied Jackson to the prison, according to ABC affiliate ABC7.
“Congressman Jackson and I have been good friends for many years and I am happy to report that he is in good spirits, all things considered,” Butterfield said in a statement.
Jackson was first elected to Congress in 1994, and served 17 years until he resigned in 2012. He reportedly left because of health problems including depression.
He and his wife have a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Jesse Jackson III.
— This story was first posted at 10:48 a.m. and has been updated with new information.