Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. leaves Mayo Clinic

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who has twice sought treatment for bipolar disorder at Minnesota's Mayo Clinic in recent months, was released from the clinic today, according to a Mayo spokesman.

The clinic was unable to provide any information on the congressman's current whereabouts, reports Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM.

Jackson checked into the Mayo Clinic for the first time in August, staying through September and eventually returning to his home in Washington, D.C. He reentered the clinic in late October.

The congressman has been under investigation for misusing campaign funds to decorate his home and to buy a $40,000 Rolex watch for a female friend. Despite the questions surrounding his stints at Mayo and growing the growing ethical cloud over him, Jackson handily won reelection to his Chicago-area house seat last Tuesday.

The investigation into misused campaign funds has now expanded to include Jackson's wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, according to the Wall Street Journal. Investigators are scrutinizing whether Mrs. Jackson was aware of or complicit in her husband's alleged misuse of campaign money. Investigators have not yet indicated whether they plan to charge Sandi Jackson.

Jackson Jr.'s attorney, Dan Webb, according to WBBM, has been negotiating a plea deal that would allow Jackson to resign for health reasons, serve some jail time for the misuse of funds, repay any funds used for personal purposes, and retain his congressional pension.

Several Democratic political heavyweights from Chicago, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have raised concerns about Jackson's continued service in Congress in light of the ongoing investigation.

[takacrat]

What or when Obama will grant that President Pardon, JJ Jr. will be just fine and not Fined! It's A Miracle! A Miracle I Say!!

[RealWorldNow]

maintain his congressional pension? no thanks!