The non-partisan Office of Congressional Ethics has launched a preliminary investigation into the actions of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) surrounding the bribery allegations against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), The Chicago Sun-Times reported this afternoon.
Blagojevich has claimed that Jackson’s emissaries had offered cash to the Illinois governor in return for an appointment to the Senate seat vacated by President Obama — a charge Jackson has denied.
From The Sun-Times:
“„The panel has asked parties in the Blagojevich case — including his former gubernatorial staff and campaign staff — to turn over any documents, emails, or other correspondence involving Jackson Jr. and his campaign staff, Jackson’s brother, Jonathan, and political fund-raisers Raghuveer Nayak and Rajinder Bedi, lawyers close to the probe told the Sun-Times. The request for information is from June of last year through Dec. 31, 2008.
“„Nayak, Bedi and Jonathan Jackson attended a Dec. 6 fund-raiser hosted by the Indian community for Friends of Blagojevich. People attending the event have told the Sun-Times that discussions about future fund-raising for congressman Jackson’s Senate candidacy took place at the function.
Jackson has not been charged with any wrongdoing, The Sun-Times clarified.
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