Jesse Jackson, Jr. implicated

by Carol Henrichs

Referred to in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich by only a cryptic identification — Senate Candidate 5 — U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. has found himself implicated in the governor’s scheme to sell the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Jackson has been an immodest contender, soliciting support for the position. And though he was not named in the complaint sworn out against Blagojevich, Tuesday, Dec. 9, it has since been confirmed that Jackson has been identified as Senate Candidate 5. And Jackson admittedly met with Blagojevich the day before Blagojevich’s arrest.

As the governor is the sole appointee of a vacated senate seat, according to Illinois law, it appears that Blagojevich sought as much as he could get.

“It’s a (bleeping) valuable thing,” Blagojevich said in FBI recorded conversations. “You just don’t give it away for nothing.” 

Though Jackson has not been charged with wrongdoing, and he has claimed he has done nothing improper.

In the 76-page FBI affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint against Blagojevich, the governor discussed six potential senate candidates. But it was (Senate Candidate 5) who Blagojevich identified as someone who would raise money as well as possibly provide money up front to ensure he kept his promise about raising money.

In the recordings Blagojevich repeatedly discussed family financial concerns, despite his and his wife’s reported earned income as more than $219,000 in 2007 according to published reports.

In an October 31 recorded conversation Blagojevich described an earlier approach by an associate of (Senate Candidate 5).

“’We are approached ‘pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator,’ Blagojevich said.”

On Dec. 4, 2008, Blagojevich told his advisor that he would elevate (Senate Candidate 5) on the list of candidates. Blagojevich stated that he might be able to cut a deal with (Senate Candidate 5) that provided him with something “tangible up front.” Blagojevich noted that he was going to meet with (Senate Candidate 5) in the next few days.

Blagojevich called (Senate Candidate 5) “a realistic candidate” for the open Senate seat, despite his getting ‘a lot of pressure’ not to appoint him. Blagojevich told his fundraiser that he had a bad experience with (Senate Candidate 5) not keeping his word.

“If (Senate Candidate 5) is going to be chosen to fill the Senate seat ‘some of this stuffs gotta start happening now… right now… and we gotta see it.’ Blagojevich said.”

In a press conference Wednesday, Jackson rejected and denounced ‘pay to play’ politics. He said he didn’t authorize anyone at any time to promise anything on his behalf.

“I never sent a message or an emissary to make an offer, make my case, or propose a deal,” he said.

He then spoke of his 13 years of hard work in the congress, stating that he thought he had an opportunity to be considered in a fair process for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Jackson admitted that on Monday, the day before Blagojevich was taken into custody, that he had a 90-minute meeting with him. Jackson said the only thing he had to offer was his record, qualification, and vision.

He refused to answer questions under the advice of his attorney James Montgomery, Sr. Jackson said he is anxious to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s office and reiterated that he has been assured that he is not a target of investigation or accused of any misconduct.