ABC News: Jesse Jackson Jr. Tapped In Blagojevich Case

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, is congratulated by The Rev. Jesse Jackson, right, and Jackson's son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. D-Ill., second from right, after Blagojevich delivered his State of the State address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly in the House of Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005.

Seth Perlman, AP Photo

ABC News' Brian Ross is reporting the following: "Chicago Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) is the anonymous 'Senate Candidate #5' whose emissaries Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich reportedly claimed offered up to a million dollars to name him to the U.S. Senate, federal law enforcement sources tell ABC News."

Here's more:

According to the FBI affidavit in the case, Blagojevich "stated he might be able to cut a deal with Senate Candidate 5 that provided ROD BLAGOJEVICH" with something "tangible up front."

Jackson Jr. said this morning he was contacted yesterday by federal prosecutors in Chicago who he said "asked me to come in and share with them my insights and thoughts about the selection process."

Jackson Jr. said "I don't know" when asked if he was Candidate #5, but said he was told "I am not a target of this investigation."

Jackson Jr. said he agreed to talk with federal investigators "as quickly as possible" after he consults with a lawyer.

Read the rest, and share your reaction below.

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Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich | Jesse Jackson Jr. | Senate Candidate #5

11:52 AM ET | 12-10-2008 | permalink

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