A Washington-based charity wrote in a letter to a federal judge Tuesday it was interested in hosting former Chicago Alderman Sandra Jackson “in her performance of community service” as part of a potential sentence for filing false tax returns.
The letter came the day before Jackson, along with her husband former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., are sentenced for their roles in misusing campaign funds to cover personal expenses.
The pair pleaded guilty in February to the various changes — Jesse Jackson Jr. to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements; and his wife to filing false tax returns.
The former Illinois congressman admitted to years of using campaign money to pay for things like vacations, restaurant bills and Michael Jackson memorabilia.
Federal prosecutors wrote in a June sentencing document they wanted Jesse Jackson Jr. to receive four years in prison for the violation, though Jackson Jr.’s lawyers asked for a jail term below the guideline range of 46-57 months.
In a letter to the court Monday, the former congressman’s legal team requested he be jailed at federal correctional facilities either in Montgomery, Alabama, or Butner, North Carolina. The lawyers noted those facilities’ proximity to Washington, D.C., where the Jacksons’ children live.
In June government prosecutors said would recommend the Jacksons not serve their sentences at the same time because of their children. The proposal suggested Sandra serve first.
Prosecutors recommended Sandra Jackson serve an 18 month sentence and pay $168,550.01 in restitution, though her legal team recommended only probation.
In the letter Tuesday, a representative for Washington-based Martha’s Table wrote the charity welcomed “the participation of Mrs. Jackson as a volunteer in the program.”
Martha’s Table provides food and clothing programs to Washingtonians, as well as education programs and initiatives meant to strengthen families.
CNN’s Carol Cratty and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
