Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is reportedly hoping to keep information about medical condition out of the public record, despite plans to use it in court as a reason for the judge to give him a break.
With the Friday deadline for sentencing memos quickly approaching for two separate Jackson cases in which both Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi Jackson pled guilty to looting $750,000 from campaign funds for personal use, Jackson's lawyers reportedly filed a motion Monday showing plans to use his bipolar disorder to make an appeal to the judge, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
They also requested that the sentencing memo, however, be partially "under seal," or out of public view, as it "will contain personal sensitive details about [Jackson's] medical condition, as well as the medical condition of one of his family members," the Sun-Times reported.
The charges require a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and an order of restitution. Because Jackson accepted responsibility, he is eligible for a lesser sentence of between 46 to 57 months and a fine between $10,000 and $100,000. The final decision, though, will be with the judge.
"I'm not bound by the sentencing guidelines," Judge Robert Wilkins said earlier in court, noting he cannot go beyond the maximum of five years. "The sentencing guidelines are advisory, and they are something I am bound to consider."
