Report: Plea deal would end Rep. Jackson's career in Congress

A former federal prosecutor representing Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is negotiating a plea deal that would end the Illinois Democrat’s career in the House, according to a Chicago TV station.

CBS Chicago reports that Jackson would resign from Congress for health reasons under the tentative deal and plead guilty to charges involving misuse of campaign funds. Jackson would also repay any contributions that were converted to personal use.

At least some jail time would appear to be inevitable for Jackson, according to the report, which said Jackson’s attorney, Dan Webb, is in talks with the U.S. Justice Department.

Jackson has been on an extended absence from Capitol Hill to undergo treatment for depression at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

The nine-term lawmaker left Washington in mid-June, revealing two months later that he was being treated for bipolar disorder.

He returned to the Capitol briefly in September, but readmitted himself to the Mayo Clinic to continue his treatment.

Jackson easily won reelection on Tuesday, despite not campaigning.

The allegations into misuse of campaign funds first surfaced in October, when The Wall Street Journal reported that the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office were spearheading the investigation.

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