Sun-Times: Junior behind $6m deal with for Senate seat

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is talking about running for mayor of Chicago. With disturbing, but not surprising news in today's Chicago Sun-Times about Junior, he should worry about hanging on to his House seat. Voters in Illinois' 2nd District have a better choice for Congress, the Rev. Isaac Hayes.

From the Sun-Times:

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. directed a major political fund-raiser to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich millions of dollars in campaign cash in return for an appointment to the U.S. Senate, sources said the fund-raiser has told federal authorities.

The allegation by Oak Brook businessman Raghuveer Nayak counters public statements made as recently as last week by Jackson that he never authorized any deal to attempt to buy the Senate seat.

Nayak also told authorities he paid for two airline trips for a "social acquaintance" of the Democratic congressman at Jackson's request, raising more potential ethical and political problems for Jackson.

The FBI interviewed that acquaintance -- a Washington, D.C., restaurant hostess named Giovana Huidobro [pictured on the right] -- about a year ago as part of its corruption probe of Blagojevich. Authorities were trying to determine whether Jackson had asked Nayak to offer Blagojevich campaign cash in exchange for the then-governor appointing Jackson to the seat once held by President Obama, according to sources with knowledge of the probe.

No Junior for mayor, no Junior for Congress.

Posted by John Ruberry