Former Ald. Sandi Jackson Reports To Prison
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Former Ald. Sandi Jackson has arrived at a minimum security prison camp in West Virginia, to begin serving her yearlong prison sentence for filing a false federal income tax return.
Jackson was ordered to report to prison 30 days after her husband, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., completed his own sentence on federal charges. The former congressman spent the last weeks of his time in custody on home confinement at their home in Washington, D.C.
Officials at Federal Prison Camp Alderson in West Virginia confirmed Sandi Jackson arrived at the facility Tuesday morning to begin her prison term.
In 2013, Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to misusing about $750,000 in campaign funds to pay for his family's lavish lifestyle. He was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison, but was given time off his sentence for good behavior, and for completing a substance abuse program, and spent a total of 23 months in custody, including about three months in a halfway house, and another three months on home confinement.
Sandi Jackson pleaded guilty to filing false income tax returns, failing to report about $600,000 in income, and was sentenced to a year in prison.
A judge allowed them to stagger their prison terms so they were not both in prison at the same time, and one parent could remain at home to care for their son and daughter.
According to court documents, the Jacksons made dozens of personal purchases using campaign funds, including: memorabilia autographed by Michael Jackson, Eddie Van Halen, and Bruce Lee; fur coats and capes; two stuffed and mounted elk heads; a $43,500 Rolex; vacations to Disney World and Martha's Vineyard; various electronics; gym memberships; their children's private school tuition; and more.