Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson, no relation to the defendants, told Jackson Jr. that his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and others had written to her urging that he be placed under supervision rather than sent to prison.
If she were to do so, she said, it would appear as if there were two systems of justice: "one for the well-connected and one for everybody else."
"I cannot do it. And I will not do it," she said.
Jackson Jr., 48, pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy involving the $750,000. Sandi Jackson, 49, pleaded guilty to a related charge of failing to report about $600,000 in taxable income. Both had pleaded guilty in February after a years-long spending spree using campaign funds. Their purchases included a $43,000 Rolex watch, furs, vacations, two mounted elk heads, a Michael Jackson fedora and an Eddie Van Halen guitar.
Both Jacksons wept as they addressed the judge before sentencing.
Jackson Jr. apologized for his crimes, expressed special regret to his mother and father, and said he alone should be held accountable for his actions.
"I am the example for the whole Congress," he said. "I understand that. I didn't separate my personal life from my political activities, and I couldn't have been more wrong."
Sandi Jackson, a former Chicago alderwoman, apologized to her family, friends, community and constituents.
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