U.S.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s has disclosed that he is suffering from a "mood
disorder" that now leaves many questions about his secretive medical leave
and whether the son of the prominent
civil rights leader has satisfied mounting calls to be more open about his
month long absence.
 |
| Rep. Jessie Jackson, Jr. |
Just
hours after Democratic leaders in Congress ratcheted up pressure on Jackson to
reveal more information, his office released a brief statement from his doctor
on Wednesday saying the Chicago Democrat was receiving "intensive medical
treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder."
When
Jackson's medical leave was first announced — two weeks after it began on June
10 — his office said he was being treated for exhaustion.
The
timing of the leave has invited scrutiny, coming as Jackson faces an ethics
investigation in the U.S. House connected to imprisoned former Illinois Gov.
Rod Blagojevich. Days before Jackson's office announced his leave, a fundraiser
and family friend also involved in the probe was arrested and charged with
unrelated medical fraud charges.
