Jackson Jr. troubled by Blagojevich link

CHICAGO, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., says he is not prepared to serve as a senator until he clears his name in the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich probe.

The son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson said Friday that since being tabbed as "Senate Candidate 5" in a criminal complaint against the disgraced Illinois governor, he has felt unprepared to serve in the U.S. Senate, CNN reported.

"While I would be honored to serve the people of this state, it is clear to me that I am in no capacity to serve them if there is a cloud over my head that seems to suggest that I am involved in some unscrupulous scheme to be a United States senator or anything else," Jackson said.

Blagojevich has been accused of attempting to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. The two-term Illinois governor is also facing fraud and bribery charges.

CNN said prosecutors in the governor's case do not suspect Jackson, or any of the other Senate seat candidates named in the complaint, of any wrongdoing in regards to the position.

Jackson said he is fully prepared to discuss his part in the controversy with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.