Feds Investigating Sandi Jackson's Finances

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 5, 2013 4:25PM

The Sun-Times has an exclusive report on a federal investigation into former Ald. Sandi Jackson’s finances being conducted independently of the ongoing investigation into her husband, former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and how he spent his campaign money.

At the center of the investigation is Sandi Jackson’s access to her husband’s campaign funds and money flowed from that to other accounts. Sandi Jackson filed amended a series of amendments to her campaign disclosure reports in December that included $13,000 in previously undisclosed transfers from her husband’s congressional account to her campaign fund. The amended disclosures, which Jackson blamed on staff and computer errors resulted in negative balances for some of her original reports, which typically calls for a review by the Illinois State Board of Elections. She also drew a salary of $5,000 per month from her husband’s campaign fund through her consulting firm.

When Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned from Congress last November his resignation letter was worded to shield his wife from the investigation of him. Sandi Jackson has retained her own legal counsel and a source told the Sun-Times federal authorities are “trying to figure out exactly what to do” her. In a financial investigation, prosecutors take into account investigations against couples who are parents; the Jacksons have school-age children.

Those sources also told the Sun-Times it’s unknown whether Sandi Jackson will be charged with anything. Jesse Jackson Jr. has retained attorney Dan Webb and it’s believed Webb is negotiating a plea deal that would include jail time yet allow Jackson to retain his pension.