Even in Chicago, where the late Mike Royko once described local politics, as a spectator sport, the news about two local politicians was too much. Former congressman Jesse Jackson Junior, whose name alone looked to be a ticket to bigger electoral plums, stands accused of looting his own campaign war chest and his wife, a former city alderman Sandra Jackson is accused of signing knowingly falsified tax returns. Federal campaign finance laws are murky - politicians wrote them - so of course they built in wiggle room. But the laws are very clear that campaign money cannot be diverted for personal use. Jackson, who was recently treated for bipolar disorder apparently went shopping when the manic phase kicked in, blowing tens of thousands on a gold plated Rolex watch, furs for the missus and collectibles like Eddie Van Halen’s guitar and personal items once owned by Michael Jackson.
What’s disturbing about this is how many people were involved. Politicians don’t use a campaign Visa card; any purchases have to be vetted by campaign staffers who follow the money. So we have to think a few more people besides Mrs. Jackson were in on the scam and this isn’t the first time charges have flown in Jackson’s direction. Jackson was the co-chair of the first Obama campaign and word is he wanted the Illinois senate seat that would be vacated by the President elect. He dodged that bullet, although many believe he conspired with the now jailed former governor Rod Blagojevich to essentially swap the nomination for campaign cash. Jackson is fessing up to the campaign cash embezzlement rap and will probably do jail time. Then there's Bob Menendez, the New Jersey senator just re-elected last year. Like many of his colleagues, he was glad to help a constituent who was accused of Medicare fraud, especially since Dr. Salomen Melgen managed to find 700,000 dollars to help the New Jersey Democrat win another term. He also flew the senator down to his palatial retreat in the Dominican Republic to talk strategy and to meet some of the locals. A couple of who reportedly were under aged prostitutes who apparently took good care of their guest from El Norte. Menendez is denying anything to do with the Dr's working teens but has reimbursed his host some 58,000 dollars in air costs.
