Jesse Jackson, Jr. Gets Only 2 1/2 Year Sentence For Theft Of Campaign Funds, Wife Gets One Year Sentence

Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Sandi Jackson (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. was sentenced today by Chicago federal district court Judge Amy Jackson (no relation) to just two and one-half years in prison, along with three years of supervision, after he earlier pleaded guilty to stealing $750,000 in campaign funds that he used to finance an extravagant lifestyle for him, his wife Sandi and his mistress. Jackson's wife, a former Chicago alderman, received a sentence of one year for failing to report about $600,000 of income on the couple's tax returns. Jackson asked that he be allowed to serve his sentence at a federal prison in Alabama. The couple will be allowed to serve their sentences one after the other so that their two children will have the supervision of one of their parents while they serve their sentences. Federal prosecutors had sought stiffer sentences for both. They wanted Jesse to serve at least four years and his wife to serve at least 18 months.