Despite repeated denials of any involvement in the Blagojevich scandal Illinois, Congressman Jesse Jackson Junior is once again the subject of scrutiny.
The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating his conduct surrounding the president's former senate seat. Last week's indictment of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich revealed associates of senate candidate number five allegedly offered $1.5 million dollars to the former governor's campaign fund in exchange for appointing that candidate to the seat.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News that Jackson is senate candidate number five his friends and family have been quick to point out Jackson himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
"I think after all of this is done, after all is said and done, I think Representative Jackson will be exonerated," said Danny Davis (D) Illinois.
"Appropriately the congressman and his staff will address this and I'm sure they will," said Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Senator's father.
Wednesday, Jackson Junior released a statement saying: "I am confident that this new ethics office - which I voted in favor of creating will be able to conduct a fair and expeditious review and dismiss this matter."
He has not publicly addressed the matter since last December when he stated: "I did not initiate or authorize anyone at any time to promise anything to Governor Blagojevich on my behalf."
The ethics panel is required to complete its investigation within thirty days, but political scholars say the cloud of suspicion hanging over Jackson could take longer to dispel.
MORE POLITICS NEWS |
TWEET@ABC30 |
FREE ABC30 WIDGET
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign up for Breaking News Alerts
Breaking News E-Mail
Alerts |
Text Message
Alerts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More News on abc30.com
Local
California/State |
National/World |
Weather |
Entertainment |
Business |
|
Sports |
Health Watch |
Consumer Watch |
Mr. Food |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
