Rev. Jackson testifies in Franklin Adell estate case
BY KIM JANSSEN Federal Courts Reporter kjanssen@suntimes.com December 5, 2012 12:24PM
Rev. Jesse Jackson responds to questions during a press availability at a 'Get Out and Vote' event on Sunday Oct. 14, 2012, in West Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
Updated: January 7, 2013 7:14AM
His son has plenty of troubles with the feds, but it was the Rev. Jesse Jackson who made a surprise appearance Wednesday morning inside a federal courtroom.
The minister, 71, was at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown to testify in a tax case involving the estate of former religious broadcasting boss Franklin Adell.
During his brief testimony, Jackson detailed a meeting he attended in 1999 in Los Angeles with DirecTV executives. At the meeting, Adell’s son, Kevin, pitched DirecTV about the launch of a Christian TV network that became “The Word,” Jackson said.
Speaking outside court, Jackson said his son Jesse Jackson Jr. continues to receive medical treatment for bipolar disorder while he deals with legal troubles stemming from his alleged illegal use of campaign funds.
Jackson Jr.’s resignation from Congress has created an intriguing battle for his seat, but his father declined to pick a favorite from the large field of jockeying candidates.
“I’m not involved in that race,” the minister said.
Kim Janssen
