WASHINGTON -- Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been charged with counts of conspiracy, making false statements, mail fraud and wire fraud in relation to a scheme to use campaign funds for personal expenses, according to court documents filed in federal court in D.C. on Friday afternoon. The filing, called an information, typically indicates a guilty plea.
Federal authorities alleged that Jackson used campaign credit cards to pay for $582,772.58 in personal expenses. He directly used campaign funds to pay for a $43,350 gold-plated, men's Rolex watch in July 2007, according to the feds. He also purchased $9,587.64 worth of children's furniture shipped from New Jersey to his home in D.C. using a campaign credit card in July 2008. Additionally, he allegedly purchased $5,150 worth of fur capes and parkas that he had shipped to D.C. in November 2009.
Money that his campaign reported was given to the Chicago Museum for a room rental for a fundraiser was actually used by Jackson to purchaser "porcelain collector's item." Jackson also reportedly accepted a $25,000 check in May 2012 to pay down his personal credit cards that he did not report in his financial disclosure statement.
Once he is convicted, Jackson will have to forfeit thousands of dollars in Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jackson, Malcolm X, Eddie Val Halen and Jimi Hendrix memorabilia. He'll also have to give up a Mink Cashmere Cape, a black and red cashmere cape and a mink reversible parka.