Govt Recommends 4 Year Prison Sentence for Jesse Jackson Jr.

Prosecutors are recommending four years in prison for former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., following his guilty plea this year on criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.

The government is also recommending that Jackson pay $750,000 in restitution to the campaign.

Court papers filed in the case say Jackson used campaign money to buy items that included a $43,350 gold-plated men's Rolex watch and $9,587.64 worth of children's furniture.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 3 along with his wife, Sandra. She pleaded guilty to filing false joint federal income tax returns that understated the income the couple received.

Federal prosecutors are recommending that Sandi Jackson, who is a former Chicago alderwoman, serve 18 months in prison, but before her husband begins his prison sentence.

Jackson is a Democrat. He resigned his Illinois congressional seat in November.