Jesse Jackson Jr. Speaks Out

Chicago, IL. -
Congressman Jesee Jackson Jr. made his first public appearance in a month since former governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted.

"I offered the former governor nothing and the former governor of Illinois offered me nothing."
Said Jackson, Saturday afternoon at an immigration forum on the city's southeast side.

Jackson admits he lobbied for the vacant senate seat now held by Roland Burris. But says he did not engage in "pay-to-play" in that quest.

While Jackson faces no criminal charges, the House of Representatives is investigating possible ethical violations. Jackson says he is co-operating fully and handing over key documents.

"The exact same information the U.S. attorney has asked for. That is our contacts with the former governor, we provided that information to them." Jackson said.

But the most revealing moment came after a question about Rod Blagojevich's quest to land a job in Hollywood.

Jackson launched into a breathless and almost two-minute long attack on the former governor.

"Public service is not a game to me, it's not some kind of joke. It's not some time of reality television show. These are real people who are really hurting, and I'm really hurting because of this process. It's not fun. It's not funny. It's very, very serious."