Congressman Jackson's
mysterious mortgage
Undisclosed benefactor holds note
on Jesse Jr.'s $540,000-plus home
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Posted: March 14, 2002
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Paul Sperry
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON -- A mystery benefactor helped Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. finance his Dupont Circle "mansion" here for an undisclosed sum not reported on the Chicago Democrat's financial disclosure forms, according to an explosive new book, "Shakedown: Exposing the real Jesse Jackson."
Under House ethics rules, members do not have to report the purchase price or value of their primary residence. They also can withhold the amount of the mortgage on that property.
However, they must report any gifts valued at more than $260.
It wouldn't be the first time Jackson has failed to disclose reportable financial information.
As WorldNetDaily first reported March 27, 2001, Jackson has had to file several amendments to his financial disclosure reports since joining Congress in 1996.
Among other things, he failed to disclose rental property and other real estate assets, as well as positions held in family businesses and foundations.
His last amendment was filed the day after WorldNetDaily revealed that he had neglected to disclose his seat on the board of his father's lucrative booking agency, Jacqueline Inc.
In October 1998, Jackson and his wife, Sandra, bought a "nine-bedroom mansion at 2034 O St., NW, in Washington," according to "Shakedown" author Kenneth R. Timmerman, an investigative reporter and WorldNetDaily contributor. The value of the property at the time was assessed for tax purposes at $540,000.
"It helped, of course, that someone else picked up the mortgage," Timmerman said.
Citing Washington, D.C., land records, Timmerman says a Sybille Saurbrun took out a mortgage on their behalf with the First Union National Bank in Washington "for an undisclosed sum."
Jackson declined to discuss the arrangement with Timmerman. His spokesman, Frank Watkins, a one-time spokesman for Jesse Jackson Sr., did not return WorldNetDaily's phone calls.
The apparent sweetheart mortgage deal resembles one enjoyed by his father.
Thanks to a secret land trust that doesn't name the title or mortgage holder, Jackson Sr. was able to buy a 15-room Tudor home in Chicago in 1970 for $49,500, Timmerman says. "Trust 24210" picked up a $37,000 mortgage on the property with a Chicago bank whose vice president became a founding board member of Jackson's Operation PUSH. The house is now worth far in excess of its $246,000 tax-assessed value, Timmerman says.