(CNN) – A law enforcement official connected to the investigation into Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich confirmed Wednesday that the person referred to in a FBI affidavit as "Senate Candidate 5" is Jackson.
The law enforcement official said there was no evidence - other than the governor's taped remarks - that Jackson or others on his behalf ever approached the governor in an improper way. The official also emphasized that no conversations with Jackson were ever picked up on bugs or wiretaps, and there is no evidence that he was aware of anything improper. J
ackson's attorney, James Montgomery Sr., told reporters Wednesday, "Everyone is speaking of Jesse Jackson Jr., as 'Senate Candidate 5.' My comments will assume that is the case." Montgomery said he has spoken with federal prosecutors and confirmed Jackson is not a target of the investigation.
He said there was no "pay to play conversation" with the governor or anyone else on Jackson's behalf.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
I like Jesse Jackson Jr. I hope he is clear of all accusations. He has worked really hard in Congress. I just can't believe Jesse Jr would be involved unless it was to "catch" Gov. Blagojevich.
The Feds need to go after the Illinois first Lady...she's as guilty as her governor husband.
The way this guy was acting like it was "owed" to him while salivating and the mere thought, I have no doubt that Jackson had every intention of 'buying" Obama's senate seat.
What a sad country of equal opportunity crooks we have become.
Of course, at tax payers expense.
LOL..The Jackson 5!
Don't even TRY to pretend that Mr. Jackson wasn't drooling over the idea of becoming a Senator!!!! Pants on Fire!!! He is ecstatic that he is able to convince a black man in high standing – as "President Elect"
to help him in his lofty goals. His denial of a coveted position is bull-!
Seems that the whole state of Illinois has political makeup of crooks and chets and liars!!! Let's see how honest his Mr. Obama will be regarding his friendship with the "other" Jesse Jackson!!!!
It's incredible how these cockroaches are now running for cover. This soap opera ranks with the Elliot Spitzer affair in New York. For those who enjoy their morning coffee with a little front page sleaze, it doesn't get much better than this.
Mr.Blagojevich is a nut, corrupt & abusive idiot.
Politicians and lawyers, especially the Democrats, have problems with honesty. It is understandable. It is only the beginning, as Obama and those who for him are no angels either.
Okay so he's number 5, who is one through four? And did it went higher?
It is ironic that on one hand all the pundits are reporting that Blagojevich has delusions of granduer, is unstable and is an idiot yet they are using his wiretapped rantings as possible indictments against politicians that there is no solid evidence against, calling into question their statements.
One wonders, as they question others' intents, motives and qualification, what these broadcasters qualifications are. Too much speculation, rumours and anonymous sources indicate a corruption in the news media itself.
If there is no evidence that he did anything wrong, why is this a story? Its doing nothging but planting the "possibility" of wrongdoing in people's minds.
It is too bad the Feds did not bug the Governor's office.
When Jesse Jackson, Jr. met with the Gov. on that Tuesday, what was talked about would be on a tape.
Are they really going to look into it? or do they have who they want and just let it go. My question is if you are going to use the govenor's words against him and beleive he was looking to pay for play then you should also look into what he is saying about people who were looking to play.
Do you also see those Career Warning Lights flashing?
There's a real surprise! Who would have thought? Duh...............
If this happened in Gary, Indiana instead of Chicago, Illinois I'm sure the media would love a story about the "Jackson 5". Too bad this is the political corruption type instead of the bell bottomed dancing type of situation.
I don't believe that Jackson is Candidate No. 5. No evidence other than the word of a crooked governor and no wire taps of Jackson actually saying anything. This is more sour grapes put forth by those who are ticked that an African American is now our Pres. Elect. They want some person of color to pay for that in Illinois. Not buyin' it. Jackson is, in fact, the best candidate for the job
Just as I suspected, Jesse Jackson Jr's name would be called somewhere, somehow as he had been lobbying like crazy for that Senate seat.
I truly hope at his press conference today, he did not lie to the american people. That would be even more disgraceful.
Mambo #$
I hope you'll excuse my ignorance of Illinois state politics, but am I the only one who noticed that this article doesn't even mention the man's first name until the third paragraph? Ok, it's Jesse Jackson's son . . . but a lot of us didn't even know he was in politics.
How did these people even get through journalism school?
Did Sara Palin get linked to Sen. Stevens?....No.......Nuff said.......
Regardless of who gets fingered in this situation, I will not be surprised. Every politician from Illinois should be suspect at this time.
Blagojevich is a disgraceful politician and should resign but because he is from Chicago does that automatically means Obama has ties to his corruption.Palin is married to Todd and what he did she came out with a clean slate.You Obama haters are so use to being negative you can't think positive.Now your seeing made up comments from people denouncing Obama as a supporter who really aren't supporters.Even after this man has become president elect there are hate mongers still hopeful to see him fall ...well guess what it's not going to happen.How do you know how this leak came about and who we can thank for it.If Blagojevich was as corrupt as we have heard his greed may lead him to the wrong person and that person may have been someone who was close to Obama that tipped the authorities have you thought about that?Obama won the election fair and square and STOP judging him because of people from his state and certainly people he knows idiots he's a politician but all politicians aren't corrupt.Try getting a life and stop trying to analize so much and get a life or better than that think about all the lies that Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld,Rove have told and the ones that have put us into this economic mess we are in.Blagojevich is the least of our worries right now he'll get his day
Vegas Barbie...uhm...the FBI said that he is Candidate No. 5.
Chicago and the state of Illinois are very liberal. I doubt that the people of Illinois are just trying to finger a person of color.
At this point, Jackson has NOT been fingered as having done anything wrong. It's insinuated by Blagojevich wanting to offer him the position if the others don't play ball, but no one has stated it as fact.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Well maybe he will use civil right s movement as a protection to get out of this. I am sick of jesse jackson jr and sr. These are such disgraceful politicians.
Oh yeah I believe every word this guy says. Didnt the tapes say that #5 offered a million dollars for the senate seat? O course we are already hearing he's being investigated because he is black. Of course it is that crook Governor who is implicating not the Republicans so get over that old excuse.