Posted Dec. 11, 2008 –  Federal authorities confirmed on Wednesday that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was the “Candidate Five” to which Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich implied in a taped conversation was willing to pay to get appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

In the indictment, the governor said a representative for “candidate #5” was willing to raise $500,000 for his campaign and $1 million if he was appointed to the coveted Senate seat.

However, Jackson, in a Wednesday news conference, strongly denied he had promised anything to the governor in secure the seat. While he said he met with the governor to discuss why he would make a good replacement, Jackson said, “I reject and denounce any pay-to-play politics and have no involvement whatsoever in any wrongdoing.”

Jackson went on to say that: “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 emissary to the governor to make an offer, to plead my case or to propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period.”

Federal prosecutors say they want to interview Jackson regarding the matter.