Legal Commentary

Jesse Jackson, Sr. Denies Being Emissary for His Son

By Jeralyn

Jesse Jackson, Sr. today denied he was the "emmissary" named in the Blagojevich complaint.

He flew to Chicago today and is expected to be interviewed by the FBI tomorrow or Saturday. The critical conversation: [More...]

"We were approached 'pay to play'. That you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."

Marcy at Empty Wheel notes that Jackson, Sr. has legal counsel. I don't read anything negative into that. Only a fool would agree to be interviewed by the feds, particularly in such a high profile case, without a lawyer.

Jackson Sr. identified his counsel as the law firm of Cochran and Montgomery. Despite bearing the name of the late Johnny Cochran, the firm handles personal injury, medical malpractice and civil rights cases, not criminal cases.

Even though the firm likely represents the Rainbow PUSH coaltion, I think if Jackson, Sr. were in legal jeopardy, his criminal defense lawyer would insist on being the point person to respond to media inquiries. I also think he and his son would have separate counsel if they were in jeopardy, and Jesse Jackson Jr.'s lawyer is also James Montgomery.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).