Jackson's $100K legal fee in Blago case

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CHICAGO, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., spent $100,000 on legal fees after his name came up in news stories about the arrest of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Hill reported Thursday Jackson paid Chicago attorney James Montgomery $100,000 from his campaign account in one payment Dec. 18. The newspaper noted that Jackson's payment represents nearly 10 percent of what Jackson raised last cycle.

Jackson is widely believed to be "Senate Candidate No. 5," who is mentioned in Blagojevich's arrest documents.

Transcripts indicate the former two-term governor said an "emissary" for "Senate Candidate No. 5" had promised to raise $1 million for Blagojevich if the candidate was appointed to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama following his victory in the U.S. presidential election.

"I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer, plead my case or propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period," Jackson said at the time.

Blagojevich -- who was expelled from office Thursday -- appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to Obama's former seat.