Rev. Jesse Jackson, notoriously tight-lipped about family matters since his son went on medical leave last summer, wants to say thanks.
“During this difficult and painful ordeal, our family has felt the impact of your prayers and calls," Rev. Jackson said Monday in a statement. "So many ministers have reached out to us, and we thank you. The hurt in this valley is indescribable."
His son, Jesse Jackson Jr., was charged last week for allegedly improperly spending hundreds of thousands in campaign funds on items including Bruce Lee memorabilia and a Michael Jackson fedora. Jackson's wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, also was charged with falsifying her tax returns and reporting less income than she made.
Jackson Jr. offered in a Friday statement his "sincerest apologies to my family, my friends and all of my supporters for my errors in judgment and while my journey is not yet complete, it is my hope that I am remembered for the things that I did right.”
Rev. Jackson noted his son remains under "tight medical supervision" and continues struggling with bipolar disorder. He asked for continued prayers for his son, daughter-in-law and their children.
Jackson Jr. left office last summer and resigned as 2nd District congressman after winning re-election in November.
"Jesse’s ordeal has been compounded by the stresses of his current legal challenges," a statement from Rainbow PUSH Coalition reads. "In a recent statement of contrition, he assumed responsibility and apologized. Our hope is that his sincere apology will be well received. This is a storm, within time storms pass over."
He also asked for prayers for Chicago and the violence addressed by President Barack Obama in a speech at Hyde Park Academy.
