By From Wire and Online Reports

Published: Friday, February 8, 2013, 6:50 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, February 9, 2013

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in the investigation into his alleged misuse of tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds, according to Chicago news organizations on Friday.

“Significant jail time is now definitely a part of the deal,” an unnamed source close to the probe told the Chicago Sun Times this week.

Violations include using campaign funds for a $40,000 Rolex watch, travel expenses for a friend and furniture purchased for his Washington home, NBC News reported.

Justice Department officials would not confirm publicly whether any agreement with Jackson had been reached. A federal official with knowledge of the case told USA Today that plea discussions were taking place but indicated that nothing was final.

Jackson, the 47-year-old namesake of the civil rights leader, resigned in November, shortly after being reelected to a ninth term in the House. For months before his resignation, he was absent from Congress as he dealt with mental health problems that twice landed him in the Mayo Clinic.

The probe of Jackson has reportedly evolved into two separate investigations, with authorities taking an independent look at Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, who recently resigned as a Chicago city alderman.

“I think Sandi feels like she was thrown under the bus by her husband,” a second source told the Sun Times this week.

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