First he had to suffer the indignity of a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for the misuse of campaign funds, now former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has to deal with this: The U.S. Marshals Service is selling 12 pieces of his personal belongings, including a lady’s mink jacket and a “Thriller” poster autographed by Michael Jackson, to help pay off a $750,000 judgment against him.
The embarrassing spectacle is taking place at txauction.com and the items will be on sale until Sept. 26. Starting prices range from $115 for a cashmere cape with mink trim to $350 for an autographed Bruce Lee photo. At the time Jackson was charged, documents disclosed that he paid $800 for the cape.
In addition to the sentence and judgment against the former congressman, his wife, Sandi, a former member of the Chicago City Council, pleaded guilty to tax charges for her involvement in the scheme and was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay $22,000 in restitution.
District Judge Amy Berman ordered Jackson to report to prison on or after Nov. 1, and for Sandi Jackson to report to prison 30 days after he is released to reduce the impact on the couple’s two children.
Jackson, the son of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., apologized in court before the judge sentenced him. The sentencing was the consequence of Jackson, 48, pleading guilty in February to misusing roughly $750,000 in campaign funds on luxuries such as fur capes, celebrity memorabilia, mounted elk heads and a Rolex watch.
“I misled the American people. I also want to apologize to my dad and my mother,” he said as he wiped away tears. “I take responsibility for my actions and I’m very sorry for what I have done.”
In her statement to the court, Sandi Jackson said, ”I stand before you today asking for mercy. My heart breaks every day with the pain it has caused my babies.”
Other items for sale at the auction include a lady’s red cashmere cape with dyed black mink trim and a still from “The Way of the Dragon,” autographed with the note “Best wishes Bruce Lee.”
