Officials: Jesse Jackson Jr. Was "Candidate 5" in Blagojevich Case

Federal officials have announced that Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was "Candidate #5" in the Rod Blagojevich corruption case, in which the Illinois governor attempted to auction Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.

"Candidate #5" (C5) was mentioned many times in the indictment. However, according to CNN TV, there is no evidence that any of the candidates listed in the document approached Gov. Blagojevich, in particular Jackson.

According to that same TV report, P. 72 of the complaint states that Blagojevich said that he felt he could strike a deal with C5 that provided Blagojevich with "something tangible up front."

They emphasized that there is no evidence Jackson was involved or even knew of any wrongdoing.

“It is impossible for someone on my behalf to have a conversation that would suggest any type of quid pro quo or any payments or offers. An impossibility to an absolute certainty,” Jackson said in comments broadcast by ABC.

Jackson met with Blagojevich on Monday but said it was the first time he and the governor had spoken in four years.

Jesse Jackson Jr. made a statement on Wednesday afternoon, in which he called for a Blagojevich to resign, and that a special election should be called.

In terms of the rumors, Jackson said, in part:

"I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics, and have no involvement whatsoever, in any wrongdoing. I did not initiate or authorize anyone at any time to promise anything to Gov. Blagojevich on my behalf. I never sent a message or an emissary to the Governor to make an offer, to plead my case, or to propose a deal about a U.S. senate seat, period."

He also emphasized that prosecutors have told him directly that he is not a focus of this investigation. He indicated he will cooperate fully with investigators. Jackson did not take any questions, upon advice of his legal counsel.

Watch the earlier ABC interview, broadcast Dec. 10th: