The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree. And with the sorry history of Illinois and Chicago politics, there is little reason to believe that these charges are not true.
JESSE JACKSON’S SON ‘OFFERED $6 MILLION TO IMPEACHED GOVERNOR FOR OBAMA’S FORMER SENATE SEAT’
Mail Online
September 23, 2010
The son of firebrand American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson has been accused of offering cash to a disgraced former state governor in exchange for a Senate seat.
Jesse Jackson Jr, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, is said to have suggested raising £3.8million worth of campaign finance for Rod Blagojevich.
In return, it is alleged, former Illinois Governor Mr Blagojevich would appoint Mr Jackson to the Senate seat then being vacated by President Barack Obama.
Under the U.S. Constitution, governors can appoint senators for the duration of a term if the original person elected dies or steps down as in the case of Mr Obama.
Mr Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office in January last year after being charged with corruption, including claims he tried to sell the appointment.
Businesman Raghuveer Nayak, who has raised funds for both Mr Blagojevich and Mr Jackson, said the congressman asked him to propose offering $6million for the seat.
Mr Nayak also told authorities that he twice paid for a female ‘social acquaintance’ of Mr Jackson’s to fly to Chicago, where the married politician represents a city district.
The woman is question is Washington-based restaurant hostess Giovana Huidobro, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Today Mr Jackson denied the allegations.
He told CBS News: ‘I've already talked with the authorities about these claims, told them they were false, and no charges have been brought against me.
‘The very idea of raising millions of dollars for a campaign other than my own is preposterous.
‘My interest in the Senate seat was based on years of public service, which I am proud of, not some improper scheme with anyone.’
Speaking of the Miss Huidobro’s visits, he said: ‘The reference to a social acquaintance is a private and personal matter between me and my wife that was handled some time ago. I ask that you respect our privacy.’
Mr Jackson added. ‘I know I have disappointed some supporters, and for that I am deeply sorry.
‘But I remain committed to serving my constituents and fighting on their behalf.’
Mr Jackson's wife, Chicago city councillor Sandi Jackson, said the information regarding her husband's acquaintance had been ‘a very private, painful and unfortunate situation’ that ‘my family and I have been privately addressing for several months.’
Both Jesse and Sandi Jackson are thought to be considering a bid in the Chicago mayoral race, although Sandi recently downplayed the possibility of her own entrance.
Mr Jackson, who has been meeting with a variety of potential contenders for the position - including White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel - recently said during a radio interview that prosecutors with any evidence of his wrongdoing regarding the Blagojevich case should ‘bring it on.’
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