Jackson pleads guilty, faces three years

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

Just days after his successor was elected without opposition to fill his remaining term in the State House, former Representative Girod Jackson III faced a term of his own to fill—a potential three years in prison.

Jackson pled guilty on federal tax fraud charges late Thursday, October 10, in a second-floor courtroom at federal court.

Federal Prosecutors contented that in order to protect his corporation, Diversified Ventures, Jackson was guilty on one count of making a fraudulent statement and two counts of willful failure to file tax returns. The former State Rep. agreed. His plea could cost him over $50,000 in back taxes, along with his expected thirty-six months detention. He will also have to cooperate with prosecutors.

Sentencing does not come until Jan. 9, 2014, ironically just before his successor faces her first legislative session. Democrat Ebony Woodruff had been elected six days before Jackson pled, having had no candidate qualify against her for the State House. Winning election without having to run a race, she wasted no time getting sworn in, but otherwise is waiting until the legislature meets in the new year.

At which time, Jackson will likely be traveling up river like Woodruff. Just a bit further than Baton Rouge, to Oakdale.

This article originally published in the October 14, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.