Justice Delayed? Judge Postpones Sentencing of Jesse and Sandi Jackson
Disgraced former lawmakers Jesse Jackson Jr. and wife Sandi Jackson will have to wait a bit longer to learn how they'll be spending the next few years. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson (no relation) on Monday postponed the sentencing hearing scheduled for July 3.
The judge wrote that the date is being changed to "accommodate the court and will be rescheduled in a separate order." She noted that neither Jackson had requested a postponement.
Indeed, an already stressful situation may now be even more so. And doubly in this case, criminal defense attorney Michael Monico told a Chicago ABC affiliate, because both Jacksons are facing time behind bars.
Federal prosecutors in their sentencing recommendations proposed that Sandi Jackson, a former Chicago alderman, serve an 18-month sentence to be followed by a four-year term served by her husband. The recommendation was made in consideration of the couple's two young children, aged 13 and 9, so they won't be without both parents at the same time.
Their sentences also include home confinement after their release from prison and substantial fines, in addition to repayment of the original $750,000 in campaign funds misused for personal expenses that began the whole scandalous ordeal.
According to Jackson's attorneys, the former congressman would like to serve his term first and he also has expressed concern about receiving adequate treatment from prison physicians for his bipolar disorder.
Last week, the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington D.C. filed a motion to forfeit the Jacksons' interest in the two homes they own in Chicago and D.C. if they are sold.
"The government will be in the driver's seat about when the houses are sold," defense attorney Joe Lopez told Fox News. "And they are not going to let the Jacksons live in the homes for 20 years."
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(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
