In February, former Rep. Jessie Jackson Jr.'s (D-Ill. pleaded guilty in federal court to using campaign money for personal expenses and waived his right to a trial.
Jackson's attorney told the Washington Post at the time that he would seek leniency at the sentencing because Jackson’s “serious health issues” are “directly related to his present predicament.” Jackson is expected to be sentenced in July.
The Hill reports that Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) asked a federal judge to consider Jackson's karaoke skills in considering leniency.
The Hill continues:
Fudge, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, sent the letter that was obtained by the Cleveland Plain Dealer to U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Wilkins.The judge is weighing a sentence for Jackson, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to spending some $750,000 worth of campaign funds on televisions, appliances, movie tickets and jewelry.
"When things got tough or extremely difficult on the House floor, we could count on Jesse to bring levity to an otherwise daunting situation with a bad joke or a one man skit," Fudge's letter says. "Jesse was the highlight of our karaoke nights and always made everyone feel like an integral part of, and not apart from, various activities. He made us realize that we could still have fun, while addressing important national issues."
Rep. Fudge? Really? Quite fitting for a congress-critter.
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