Aug. 14, 2013: Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Sandra, arrive at federal court in Washington.

Aug. 14, 2013: Onetime Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his married woman, Sandra, arrive at federal court in Washington. (AP)

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Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to 2 i/ii years in prison house Wednesday for illegally spending $750,000 in entrada funds on personal items, the judge scolding the son of the famed ceremonious rights leader for using the money as a "piggy bank" and sentencing his wife to a yr as well.

All the same, Jackson, who emotionally apologized to his begetter, mother, congressional colleagues and others, was given significantly less prison house time than federal guidelines recommend, recognized by the judge as a "complex person" who has done both adept and bad.

Sandra Jackson, a former Chicago alderman, was sentenced for filing false articulation federal income tax returns.

After prison, the former congressman is to spend three years on supervised release and consummate 500 hours of community service. If he earns credit for proficient beliefs in prison house, he could finish up serving closer to two years. He agreed to repay the $750,000 when he pleaded guilty earlier this yr.

According to court documents, the Jacksons had spent entrada money on Television's, restaurant dinners, an expensive sentry and other costly personal items.

Jackson, 48, had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. In an emotional speech to the judge, he high-strung upwards and used tissues to blow his nose. He apologized and said he wanted to "have responsibleness for my actions."

"I misled the American people. I misled the Firm of Representatives. I misled the Federal Election Commission," he said. "I was wrong."

"I also want to apologize to my dad and to my female parent," Jackson added, stopping to compose himself.

The elder Jackson, who saturday in the front row during the proceedings, told a crush of reporters exterior the courthouse subsequently: "This has been an extraordinarily difficult time for our family."

In court, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson recognized Jackson Jr.'s public service on issues such equally public education and make clean water. "That'due south what makes this situation then tragic," she said.

But the gauge said that if she gave him no jail time it would send a message that there are two systems: one for the well-continued and ane for anybody else.

"I cannot practise information technology. I will not do it," she said, adding that as a public official, Jackson was expected to "live up to a higher standard of ideals and integrity." She too said that Jackson's deportment could not be excused because of mental disease. He has been treated for bipolar disorder.

Federal sentencing guidelines chosen for a prison term of 46 to 57 months -- or only under four years to just under five years. The authorities had recommended four years, while Jackson'southward lawyers had asked that his sentenced exist limited to 18 months.

Jackson's lawyer, Reid H. Weingarten, said the instance lacked the typical victim found in most criminal cases.

"There are not widows and orphans surrounding the courtroom wanting his head," Weingarten said.

But prosecutor Matt Graves said the offense was serious: "These were extreme abuses," he said.

Sandra Jackson volition be permitted to serve her judgement afterward her hubby completes his. The couple, who have 2 children, 13 and 9, asked to serve at separate times.

"I stand before you today request for mercy," Sandra Jackson said. "My heart breaks every day with the pain that it's caused my babies."

Her lawyer, Dan Webb, tried to persuade the judge to spare his client jail fourth dimension, arguing that it would exist an "unbearable burden" on the children. But the judge old Mrs. Jackson, "It is not the court that put your children in this position."

Having their mother gone will be difficult for the children, the judge said, but "it is survivable." She said, "Today y'all have to be held out equally an example."

Sandra Jackson also was ordered to serve 200 hours of community service and pay restitution of $22,000 -- the amount of money she took from her alderman'southward campaign account for personal use.

The Jacksons, who pleaded guilty in February, entered the courtroom belongings hands.

The estimate said Jackson's reporting date for prison house would exist on or later November. 1.

As he got into his SUV to get out, Jackson said, `'I still believe in the power of forgiveness. I believe in the power of redemption. Today I manned upwardly and tried to have responsibleness for the errors of my ways-- and I however believe in the resurrection."

The old congressman'due south male parent saturday in the front row during the proceedings, surveying the courtroom and writing notes on a slice of paper while waiting for the hearing to start. During a pause just before the sentences were appear, he walked over to the defence table and sat downwards adjacent to his son, who slouched in his chair. Weingarten soon joined them, and the younger Jackson was able to manage a express mirth at something i of the other men said.

Subsequently the sentencing, the senior Jackson walked over to the prosecution table and shook hands with the prosecutors.

Weingarten told reporters that his army camp was satisfied with the courtroom'due south rulings "but nobody's celebrating today, patently." He said Jackson had suffered a "fall from grace. ... It's a huge twenty-four hour period of sadness."