Jackson, Jr. an informant to Blago investigations
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/16/art.jjbow1216.gi.jpg caption="Sources close to Rep. Jackson, Jr. told CNN Tuesday that the Illinois congressman has supplied information regarding Gov. Blagojevich to federal law enforcement officials since 2006."]SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) - Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. - who was cited in a criminal complaint against Rod Blagojevich - has been an informant for at least a decade with the U.S. Attorney's office, and has informed on the embattled governor of Illinois, though not in the case currently under investigation, Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds told CNN Tuesday.
In addition, two sources close to Jackson told CNN that, in 2002, Blagojevich - then running for governor of Illinois - solicited a $25,000 campaign donation from Jackson, which he did not get.
At the time, Jackson's wife, Sandi, was a candidate for the job of director of the state's Lottery Commission, a post she did not win, the sources said.
After Blagojevich took office, in early 2003, he told Jackson something to the effect of, "You see what $25,000 would have done?" the sources said.
In 2006, Jackson reported the incident, which he believed to have been an attempt at a shakedown, the sources said.
The report, the sources said, came three three years later because Jackson's memory was jogged by another case - that of developer Tony Rezko, whose fraud and corruption trial included testimony about $25,000 donations to Blagojevich.
Jackson did not endorse Blagojevich in his initial campaign and tried to stay on the sidelines during the governor's re-election bid, one of the sources said.
Blagojevich's office did not return calls seeking comment.
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Well now that he's tangled with Blago on tape my bet is he will testify for the state and give up everything he knows. This could get big fast.
Wonder why he needed to turn informant....what's he protecting himself from?
Maybe this will put all of the "Obama is behind it" rumors to rest, since Blog has been under investigation for 2 years....
Wow...good sumaritan turning-in a crook in his own state. Good for Jesse for doing the right thing.
I knew it had to be either involvment or Blagowhatever was being set up...anywho...
I am overjoyed to hear this! He was one of the good guys. This blatant corruption is so discouraging. It is sad to think that we can't trust any of our elected officials.
I am sure this will help to clear Obama's good name. All the doubters and nay sayers can take a flying leap.
Take that Republicans!
He had to "out" himself, to clear his name. My question is, how did an investigation into a white man , become suddenly all about the black man? Please don't think I am trying to play the race card here, but I found it ironic that Gov. Blago had 5 different people interested in the Senate seat, but theonly one outed was Jesse Jackson Jr. Would he be so stupid as to serve as an informant and try to purchase a seat in the Senate? I wish Gov. Hairstyle would go somewhere and hide. I am sick of looking at his corrupt behind–and I am a Democrat.
Generally does someone become an informant if they were caught doing something inappropriate???
WOW!! This guy has been drug through the mud by FOXNEWS. I hope he is vindicated from all the stuff that has been said about him.
Who knew . . . . ofcourse this would explain . . . apple does not fall to far from the tree . . . theory.
J.Jackson Senior – speaking with Open mike during this past election!
Just a thought . . .
WOW . . . . .
I think that it is unfair to label him as an informant. When Jesse Jackson Jr's wife attempted to get a job with the Illinois lottery, the Blagojevich machine tried to get the Jacksons to pay $25,000. The Jacksons reported this.
Oh yeah – sure... We are all informants!
idiot
Why did`nt he just say that in his interview with Don Lemon the other day?
This is a snitch that I like.... if he is telling to clean the state up. Good for Jesse
I knew Jackson wasn't corrupt!!
How do you like your evil Obamite conspiracy theory now?
What an odd story! Jackson has been informing on Blago 'since 2006' but was 'not an informant in the current investigation'! Anyone else find that strange? And why was he "an informant for more than decade"? About whom, if not about Blago until 2006? And why? Am I missing something or is this guy's political aspirations dead in the water? Who would trust a general snitch, rather than one focused on a particular person or event?
This case makes sense now. Blago had a motive for mentioning that candidate # 5 was willing to pay him for the senate seat, just to bring him down with him. Blago had been aware that he was being investigated and that this candidate # 5 was the one who had been giving information to the authorities.
If it is true that Jackson has been acting as informant for years to the US. Attorney's office....then I am truly proud of him. it has been asked over and over on every talk show...tv and radio...why did not anyone say anything before now in regards to the corruption. My answer to that is...how many people work on a job and know of those that are doing wrong and say nothing? I also ask...how smart is it for a junior statesmen to make accusations and think that he will be able to continue in his career?....and then I hear that Jackson has been complaining all along. I pray that it is true and I am encouraged that there are some good guys out there!
wow I wonder how he will be treated when he returns to congress? Snitch or hero?
So which is it? The final paragraph says "Jackson has not served as an informant in the current investigation into Blagojevich," yet your headline says he has.
But I think this speaks volumes about him, he should be involved in public service, this speaks to upholding the public trust and taking the initiative and doing something about cleaning up the garbage prevalent in politics
JJJ is a RAT WOW!!!! You have lost all credibility Jr. Pray you don't have any scandals under your wings.
FIRST!!