Q: Will Jesse Jackson Jr. have to pay back the $750,000 to his campaign funds?
—Carol Murphy, Woodstock
A: Jackson, a former U.S. Representative and son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, won't have to pay back $750,000 to his campaign fund, but must pay a $750,000 forfeiture, which he agreed to do when he pleaded guilty in February, the Chicago Tribune reported. Sandra Jackson, his wife and former Chicago alderman, initially was ordered to pay $168,550 representing unpaid taxes, but the judge reduced it to $22,000. Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in February of misusing campaign funds and also must serve a 30-month prison term. Sandra Jackson also received a one-year term for pleading guilty of filing false tax returns.
Q: Did Cynne Simpson replace someone at Fox 5, or is she just an additional person?
—Carolyn Clark, Newnan
A: Simpson was hired to co-anchor the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. news, replacing Amanda Davis. Simpson, who was an anchor at CBS Atlanta from 2004-07 and most recently was at WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, began Aug. 12. "A million thanks for all of your kind notes. I'm so excited to be back in Atlanta!" Simpson wrote on her Facebook page on Aug. 9. Davis, who had been at the station for more than 26 years, retired in April. She was taken off the air after being arrested for reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and DUI in November. Her trial date has not been set.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; staff writer Rodney Ho contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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