Jesse Jackson Jr. Pays Campaign Funds to Chicago Alderman Wife
Jacksons political committee also gave at least $298,927 in cash and in-kind contributions to Sandra Jacksons campaign fund, which bankrolled her races for a city council seat that pays more than $100,000 per year and an unpaid position on the Cook County Democratic Committee.
Sandra Jackson, known as Sandi, received the $95,000 for political consulting after pledging during her campaign to give “my full attention” to the aldermans post.
Jesse Jackson got a Federal Election Commission advisory opinion in 2001 saying his campaign could pay Sandi Jackson for consulting work without violating a ban on personal use of political donations. Even so, the Chicago Democrats fundraising is so entangled with his familys interests that hes pushing the limits of propriety, said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit ethics watchdog group.
“Much of this may be legal, but lets refer back to an old quote: the scandal in Washington often is whats legal,” said Sloan, whose group in 2007 reported on relatives who profit from their ties to members of Congress. “Mr. Jackson is availing himself of the full range of loopholes by which he can transfer money to his family.”
Aides say both Jacksons take care to avoid legal or ethical conflicts.
Unique Synergy
“Congressman Jackson and Alderman Jackson are each others biggest supporters” and “do their best to follow all federal, state and local rules, laws and ethic codes,” Rick Bryant, a spokesman for Jesse Jackson, said in an e-mail.
The Jacksons have a “unique synergy which enhances the value and quality of life for the constituents they serve,” Sandi Jacksons spokeswoman, Crystal Adkisson, said by e-mail. “Both the congressman and alderman take pride in being in compliance with federal, state and local laws, and rules and ethics codes.”
Jackson, 44, said last month he is the subject of a House ethics probe into his contacts with ousted Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich about the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Blagojevich faces federal charges that he tried to sell Obamas seat.
A grand jury indictment of Blagojevich alleges that the then governor believed he could get as much as $1.5 million in political donations from Jackson supporters if he named the congressman to the job. Jackson has denied wrongdoing, saying he rejects “pay-to-play politics” and is cooperating “fully with any and all investigations related to this matter.”
Political Dynasty
Jesse Jackson hired Sandi Jacksons chief of staff, Bonita Parker, as a “special assistant” on his taxpayer-funded congressional staff in April 2008, paying her $22,000 through March 31, federal records show. Over the same period, Parker made an annual city salary of $77,724 in 2008, which rose to $80,052 on Jan. 1, said Constance Buscemi, a city spokeswoman.
Parker left her part-time job in Jesse Jacksons office as of March 31, said Bryant, who called her “uniquely qualified for the dual role because of her extensive experience in community service with the public and private sectors.”
Parker is former chief operating officer and said she is still on the board of the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a civil rights group started by the congressmans father, the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.
In a brief telephone interview May 19, Parker declined to comment about her employment by the Jacksons.
Voter Favorite
Last November, Sandi Jacksons political committee paid for a statewide poll showing her husband as “the favorite” among Illinois voters to fill Obamas Senate seat.
After his wifes victory, Jesse Jackson opened a House district office down the hall from her aldermanic office. Bryant said the new location was picked for “accessibility and visibility.”