Rev. Jesse Jackson has sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to pardon his son, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., and his former daughter-in-law, former Ald. Sandi Jackson.
The letter, sent on the same day Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, urges the president to “weigh the balance of his life and the power of forgiveness” by Jesse Jackson Jr. to consider for a full pardon.
“In addition to your consideration of pardoning my son and his ex-wife, I pray that perhaps some relief and reform may come from this letter for the benefit of all citizens, and of elected citizens who go to Washington DC to serve. our country,” Jackson wrote.
Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in 2013 to misusing about $750,000 in campaign funds to pay for his family’s lavish lifestyle. He was in custody for 23 months, of which approximately three months in a halfway house, and another three months in home detention.
Sandi Jackson also pleaded guilty in 2013 to filing false tax returns, failing to report about $600,000 in income. Served 11 months in prison after her Jesse Jackson Jr. was released from prison.
Sandi and Jesse Jr. divorced in 2018.
When he asked for a pardon from Biden, the elder Jackson took notice both his son and his former daughter-in-law pleaded guilty to their crimes and have already served their sentences, including paying full restitution. A pardon would formally clear their criminal record.
“His children – my grandchildren – would thrive and find hope if both their father and mother, former Chicago City Councilwoman Sandra Stevens Jackson, were forgiven,” he wrote.
Jackson Jr. shared his father’s letter on his Facebook page, where he also posted several links, images and other messages making his own case for clemency.
In September, he shared a letter from nine south suburban mayors urging Biden to pardon him, as well as a request for his followers to write Biden a letter in support of his pardon request.
