Jesse Jackson Jr. Update: Congressman Undergoing Treatment for “More Serious” Ailments

Jesse Jackson Jr.’s office has revealed the Democratic Chicago congressman is struggling with ‘physical and emotional ailments’ worse than originally believed.

Jackson, 47, who was first elected to office in 1995, took a medical leave June 10th to be treated for what a spokesman at the time said was “exhaustion,” but his office did not disclose that decision until more than two weeks later.

“Recently, we have been made aware that he has grappled with certain physical and emotional ailments privately for a long period of time,” the congressman’s spokesman Frank Watkins said.

When asked where Jackson Jr. was receiving his treatment, Watkins said:

“At present, he is undergoing further evaluation and treatment at an in-patient medical facility. According to the preliminary diagnosis from his doctors, Congressman Jackson will need to receive extended in-patient treatment as well as continuing medical treatment thereafter.”

In recent months, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been under the congressional microscope for allegations that he attempted to bribe former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich with up to $6 million in campaign cash to make the congressman President Barack Obama’s successor in the U.S. Senate.

Jackson has denied any knowledge of fundraising in exchange for the appointment and has said he expects to be vindicated by the ethics panel.

Blagojevich, meanwhile, is serving a 14-year prison term in Colorado for his wrongdoings.

via The Sacremento Bee