Ex-congressman Jackson reports to prison
![Jesse Jackson Jr.: In this Aug. 14, 2013 file photo, former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., leaves federal court in Washington after being sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for misusing $750,000 in campaign funds.]({"default":"http://newsbcpcol.stb.s-msn.com/amnews/i/2c/7c2ebe5dc59fe9a2a34597bd0ef6/_h353_w628_m6_otrue_lfalse.jpg"})
AP Photo: Susan Walsh, File![AP]({"default":"http://newsbcpcol.stb.s-msn.com/amnews/i/e3/12e7ff08bf55a6d7449b766b4e23c/_h17_w0_m6_otrue_lfalse.jpg"}){kind=small}
By Michael Tarm of Associated Press
48-year-old Jesse Jackson Jr. was in federal custody Tuesday morning, according to Bureau of Prisons spokesman Chris Burke.
CHICAGO — Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has reported to a federal prison to serve a 2 1/2-year prison term for misusing campaign funds, a prison official said Tuesday.
The 48-year-old Chicago Democrat was in federal custody Tuesday morning, according to Bureau of Prisons spokesman Chris Burke. The official declined to offer details, including when Jackson had initially reported to prison.
Jackson is the son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson and was once a rising star in the Democratic party. Jackson was one of President Barack Obama's early supporters in Illinois. If Jackson had chosen to run for the U.S. Senate seat that Obama won in 2004, Obama might have remained stuck in the Illinois state Senate. During the 2008 presidential race, Jackson came to Obama's defense when Jackson's famous father was caught on tape criticizing the candidate.
Jackson, who pleaded guilty in February to conspiring to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses, reported to Butner Correctional Center near Raleigh, North Carolina, said Ed Ross, another prison spokesman.
Jackson's wife, Sandi, was sentenced to a yearlong sentence for filing false tax returns. In a concession to their two school-aged children, the judge allowed the Jacksons to stagger their sentences.
Court documents were never clear about when Jackson must report.
In her sentencing order written earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington said he would have "to surrender for service of sentence no earlier than Nov. 1, 2013."
A Bureau of Prisons website says Jackson's inmate number is 32451-016.
Jackson used campaign money to buy a $43,350 gold-plated, men's Rolex watch and $9,587.64 on children's furniture, according to court papers filed in the case. His wife spent $5,150 on fur capes and parkas, the document said.
Jackson asked to serve his time in Alabama, while his wife's attorney said she'd prefer a Florida prison. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons decided where Jackson is serving his term.
Jackson entered Congress in 1995 and resigned last November.
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