Article updated: 2/18/2013 7:52 AM

Opulence the downfall of Jesse Jackson Jr.

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Associated Press/2011 For all the talk of Jesse Jackson Jr. aspiring to be a U.S. senator or mayor of the nation's third-largest city, his career wasn't ended by attempts to amass political power. Instead, it was the former congressman's desire for flashy items like a gold-plated Rolex watch and furs, and collectibles, such as Eddie Van Halen's guitar.

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For all the talk of Jesse Jackson Jr. aspiring to be a U.S. senator or mayor of the nation's third-largest city, his career wasn't ended by attempts to amass political power. Instead, it was the former congressman's desire for flashy items — a gold-plated Rolex watch, furs and collectibles, such as Eddie Van Halen's guitar.“To go down for this, you just feel sad.” said Paul Green, a longtime political scientist.

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