Feds: 'Suspicious Activity' In Jesse Jackson Jr. Finances

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 13, 2012 7:45PM

Authorities say the FBI is investigating Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s (D-Chicago) finances, focusing on "suspicious activity" related to his House seat. According to the Sun-Times, the probe is new and completely separate from federal authorities' other investigation of Rep. Jackson — his involvement in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell a Senate seat.

The report also shows the FBI investigation was in motion prior to Jackson taking a leave of absence on June 10. The Sun-Times writes:

It was unclear whether the probe involved the congressman’s official House spending account or his campaign finance account. But one source said it was an account monitored by Congress.

All members of the U.S. House receive an allowance to operate offices in Washington and in their districts. The allowances for rank-and-file members ranged from $1.4 million to $2 million in 2010, according to the House website.

According to the Sun-Times, Jackson's spokesman said he was unaware of the investigation, and one of Jackson's attorneys would not even confirm he was still representing the congressman.

Jackson went on leave in June, but he waited two weeks before going public with the information, while leaving out many of the details of his health from the public eye. Jackson checked himself into the Mayo Clinic in July for depression and gastrointestinal issues. He was released in September, and he was reportedly back in Washington, D.C., but not back at work.

Jackson's reelection campaign silently continues, and experts predict he'll win — and by a wide margin — even if Jackson is indicted.