Jesse Jackson Jr.: ‘I Am Not a Target’ In Blagojevich Probe

Susan Davis reports on politics. After being identified as “Senate Candidate 5” in the complaint filed in Tuesday’s arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich , Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. held a press conference this afternoon on Capitol Hill, saying he is innocent in Blagojevich’s alleged schemes to sell President-elect Barack Obama ’s Senate seat to the highest bidder. “Know this: I spoke to the U.S. attorney’s office on Tuesday and they shared with me that I am not a target of this investigation and I am not accused of any misconduct,” Jackson told reporters this afternoon. He did not take any questions, but added that he is scheduled to speak further with federal authorities this week and will cooperate “fully and completely” with the inquiry. Jackson hired long-time Chicago lawyer James Montgomery following Blagojevich’s arrest. In a statement, Montgomery said his client is not a target of the investigation. In the complaint, an unnamed emissary of “Senate Candidate 5” allegedly ... (link)