Prosecutor: Jesse Jackson Junior Bid $1 Million for Senate Seat

So why isn't he charged?

Yes, a supporter made the bid; but come on, people do not offer $1 million on behalf of other people without being directed to.

A supporter of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told the Democratic congressman in 2008 that he would raise $1 million in return for then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich naming Jackson to the U.S. Senate, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday.

The allegation, made on a busy day at Blagojevich's federal corruption trial, was the first time authorities publicly suggested Jackson was aware of efforts by his allies to swap campaign cash for his appointment to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

...

Jackson has not been charged and has long denied knowledge or involvement of the alleged scheme to buy the Senate seat, which surfaced almost as soon as Blagojevich's arrest on Dec. 9, 2008. Days later, the South Side congressman read a statement declaring: "I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer, plead my case or propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period."

Jackson did not return phone calls for comment Wednesday.

I know why he isn't being charged; so do you; so does everyone. It's because 1, he's Jesse Jackson Junior, and 2, the establishment isn't going to take down two of its beloved own. Blago is the sacrificial lamb into which the entire community's sins are poured and, with his immolation, are purged.

Heck, if you go after Jesse Jackson Junior, people just might start getting the idea that it's not Blago per se that was corrupt, but the entire whorehouse-at-low-tide city political culture, and that might cause problems for President Pitching Wedge.

Via Gabriel Malor.

posted by Ace at 11:58 AM

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