Jesse Jackson Jr. Affirmed To Be “Senate Candidate #5″ In Blagojevich Scandal

Jesse Jackson Jr.’s attorney has just affirmed that Jesse IS “Senate Candidate #5″ who is referred to in the affidavit presented yesterday in Governor Rod Blagojevich’s “pay-for-play” corruption arrest. Blago is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama’s senate seat amongst other fraud and conspiracy charges. There is an allegation that someone connected to Candidate #5 was open to raising $500,000 for Blago’s campaign in exchange for the appointment to Obama’s senate seat. It appeared to be a direct offer in the affidavit. Sassy Jesse Jackson Jr. had his panties in a WAD when he spoke out today:

Jesse Jackson Jr.’s attorney James Montgomery held a press conference just prior to Jesse Jr,’s, and says that:

The arrest of Blagojevich and the affidavit raised questions about complicity in scheme by JJJ. He’s been hired to represent Jesse Jackson Jr. He and Congressman Jackson assumed that JJJ is Senate candidate #5. Montgomery says this is true, although he wouldn’t swear to it under oath. Regarding “Senate Candidate #5″, an alleged associate would raise 500k, and another guy would raise a million for Blago’s campaign. JJJ never sought the seat in exchange for money, nor did any of his associates (Fundraiser A, Individual D). JJJ doesn’t know who any of these people are. He has raised a public and transparent campaign for the seat. He met with Blago on Dec. 8th, presented credentials, no pay-for-play. He last met Blago in 2005 before the December 8th meeting. U.S. Atty’s rep says JJJ is not a target of the investigations. Attorney Montgomery has offered to meet with the U.S. attorney, and he and Congressman Jackson will cooperate fully.

Barack Obama has called for Governor Blagojevich to resign, and now Congressman Jackson has too. More questions than answers still remain in this shocking scandal. If Congressman Jackson is not a target of the investigation, who is? Much of the evidence that backs up the prosecutors’ affidavit is audio recordings, so the details of whomever was dealing on behalf of Jackson (and the other numbered candidates) may be known soon. If you read the affidavit, linked above, you will see how detailed the corrupt dealings are. Pages 72-73 deal with “Senate Candidate #5.” Verbal confirmations from the U.S. attorney are certainly not as strong as a written declaration that one is not a target of an investigation.

Obama has not been directly implicated in the scandal, but it is believed that Rahm Emmanuel was the one who dropped the dime on Blago. What did Obama know, and when did he know it? At the very least, it is a huge distraction for the President-elect. Don’t forget what Axelrod said a few months ago… that Obama HAD discussed his senate replacement with Blago. Obama’s people have had to backtrack on this, so either Axelrod is lying, or Obama is.

Share this Right Soup with others: