Former Rep. Jesse Jackson, on way to prison this Wednesday for his admitted misuse of campaign dollars, asked through his attorney on Tuesday that he be allowed to serve his jail time nearby his family members.
The Illinois Democrat asked the federal judge specifically to send him to the prison camp at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., or to the low-security facility called Butner-Low. located near Durham, N.C. Bernie Madoff, who was convicted of the largest Ponzi money scheme in the nation’s history, is serving time at a medium-security facility connected to the Butner complex, USA Today reported.
Jackson’s lawyer said the ex-congressman has many ties to the area. He graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. Prosecutors want a four-year prison sentence for Jackson, who pleaded guilty to taking $750,000 in campaign funds in February for living expenses and luxury purchases, including jewelry and furs. His wife, Sandi Jackson, pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns and prosecutors seek 18 months in jail for her. Both face sentencing this Wednesday.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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