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Jesse Jackson Jr. and Sandi Jackson have filed for divorce. | AP file photo

Garry McCarthy subpoenaed about gifts, trips in Jackson divorce

Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy and two other men were issued subpoenas Tuesday in the divorce case between Jesse Jackson Jr. and Sandi Jackson that seek information about gifts given to Sandi Jackson.

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s attorneys filed three subpoenas in Cook County Circuit Court. Besides McCarthy, others subpoenaed include Rick Simon, a former Chicago police sergeant who now runs a cleaning company with city contracts, and former Chicago Police Officer James Love.

In addition to gifts, McCarthy and Love are also asked to provide information about any hotel stays, trips or vacations they have taken with the former alderman or members of her family.

Simon issued a statement saying he was “shocked” to be included in what he dubbed a “fishing expedition.” McCarthy told WBBM-Channel 2 that he’s “not going to comment on anything that stupid,” while Sandi Jackson told Channel 2 her estranged husband is “so desperate.”

Late Tuesday, Brendan Hammer, an attorney for Jesse Jackson Jr., issued a statement saying “we will not prosecute these private matters in a public sphere” and that the divorce case will be decided “on the merits.”

It’s the latest in what has been a drama-filled journey for the high-profile former political couple who married in 1991.

Sandi and Jesse Jackson Jr. both pleaded guilty in August 2013 to various schemes relating to the looting of his congressional campaign fund. The former South Side 7th Ward alderman and the former 2nd Congressional District lawmaker each went to prison for diverting $750,000 from campaign funds for their personal use between 2005 and 2012.

The former congressman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit false statements and mail and wire fraud; his wife to filing a false federal income tax return.

And lawyers for Jesse Jackson Jr. earlier this month said they’ll fight to keep his divorce case in Illinois, arguing former Ald. Sandi Jackson committed “acts” in the state that gave rise to their divorce action while they were under investigation by the feds and he was in prison.

Both are embroiled in a dual-state divorce case, with the case also being heard in Washington D.C. where Sandi Jackson is currently living with their two children.

Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy speaks to the City Club of Chicago in September. File Photo. | Santiago Covarrubias/Sun-Times

Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy speaks to the City Club of Chicago in September. File Photo. | Santiago Covarrubias/Sun-Times

The subpoenas for McCarthy and Love seek documents about “gifts,” including cash, check, property or interests. They also seek documentation of anything related to “hotel or lodging stays, trips and/or vacations taken with Sandi” or her family members.

Also requested from McCarthy and Love are any photographs, documents, films, videos or recordings received from Sandi Jackson, sent to Sandi Jackson “or that reflect you and Sandi together.”

The sweeping subpoenas seek documents from the two related to any parties, galas, openings celebrations, concerts or other events attended with Sandi Jackson.

Simon’s subpoena seeks documents relating to cash, currency, wire transfers or checks “given, sold, exchanged, traded or bartered to Sandi or for her benefit.” It also seeks non-cash items given to the former alderman and information on expenses paid, such as attorney fees, groceries, rent, mortgage, repairs to her home, clothing, grooming, entertainment and bar, restaurant and spa expenses.

Sought from all three are emails, texts messages, letters, cards, notes by Sandi Jackson or sent to her. Social media activity is also included — whether deleted or not — on Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Twitter and several other platforms.

McCarthy’s subpoena seeks documents on all calls and texts dated from May 1, 2012 to the present. Simon’s and Love’s subpoenas seek information from Jan. 1, 2012 to the present.

Telephone calls by the Chicago Sun-Times to McCarthy, Love and Sandi Jackson’s lawyers weren’t returned.

Simon issued a statement, saying the subpoena shocked him.

“I am shocked at this summons,” Simon said.

“I am shocked that I am included in this fishing expedition. After reading the early media reports it seems that the attorney really wants this case in Illinois and need to create some issues for the court to consider here.

“So consider this. I have met [Ms.] Jackson a total of [two] times over a period of at least ten years (maybe three) all at social functions with her husband at her side amongst a hundred or more people.

“I have never communicated with [Ms.] Jackson by phone or electronically in any manner.

“I have never given her personally anything of value or that anyone might think is of value.

“What I am not shocked about is the [media’s] need to proceed with a story without all sides being heard. Their disingenuous need to proceed with speed not accuracy.

“I can say with complete certainty I have no knowledge of any issues surrounding the case in court regarding the [Jacksons] … and I hope they consider what they do now adversely affects other people … and especially their family.”

McCarthy was appointed police superintendent in May 2011 and served until he was fired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel on December 1, 2015, with Emanuel calling him a “distraction” in the furor over the city’s decision to withhold the Laquan McDonald dashcam video for 13 months.

Simon — a former police sergeant and major Emanuel administration contractor — is the president and CEO of United Security Services, Inc. — a cleaning, staffing and security company.

One of Simon’s firms has been paid more than $100 million by the Emanuel administration under a 2012 deal to perform janitorial services at O’Hare Airport for five years, city records show.

Simon has drawn criticism for employing a man who had served in prison after being indicted with the late mob boss Anthony “Big Tuna” Accardo. He has also been a business partner in a heavy equipment company with a man who has been described by law enforcement as a member of the mob.

When Simon joined the police department 40 years ago, he moonlighted at the company of Ben Stein, Chicago’s “King of Janitors.” Stein, a convicted felon, also was a mob associate. Simon bought Stein’s company after his death.

Jackson Jr., 51, filed a certificate of dissolution of marriage in Cook County in December. Citing “irreconcilable differences” with his wife, he began the proceedings to divorce in Cook County in July, as Sandi Jackson was wrapping up a prison term she completed in October.

Sandi Jackson, 53, filed a divorce petition in Washington D.C. in November. Jackson is seeking full custody of their two children, ages 13 and 16, as well as child support and alimony. Jackson Jr. is also seeking to have the children live with him.

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