*Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, along with Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, were indicted by a federal grand jury as part of a broad corruption investigation.
The recently unsealed indictment reveals that Owens helped Lumumba and another official, Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee, secure over $80,000 in bribe payments in exchange for their support of a hotel development project near the Jackson Convention Complex, USA Today reports. Owens, in turn, received at least $115,000 in cash and promises of future financial benefits from two undercover FBI agents posing as Nashville developers. The agents used Owens’ connection with the city officials to facilitate the payments.
“Owens, Banks, Lumumba, Lee and Smith were not aware that, in reality, the Developers were working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” the indictment states.
“My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have, in fact, indicted me on bribery and related charges,” Lumumba said in a video statement shared with reporters on Tuesday, Mississippi Today reports. “To be clear, I have never accepted a bribe of any type. As mayor, I have always acted in the best interests of the citizens of Jackson.”
Lumumba added, “We believe this to be a political prosecution against me, primarily designed to destroy my credibility and reputation within the community. There is no coincidence in its timing being just before the upcoming mayoral race. My legal team will vigorously defend me against these charges. While I am disappointed, I am not deterred, so I ask for your patience and your prayers during this process.”
Watch the mayor’s video statement above.
Here’s more from USA Today:
Owens faces one count of conspiracy, three counts of federal program bribery, one count of use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering and one count of making a false statement. Lumumba faces one count of conspiracy, one count of federal program bribery, one count of use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, one count of wire fraud and one count money laundering. Banks faces one count of conspiracy and three counts of federal program bribery.
“Owens used the campaign-donation checks to disguise the true source of the funds, the Developers, in an attempt to avoid scrutiny from the public and law enforcement,” the indictment states.
“Owens was ready, willing, and predisposed to engage in bribery at least as early as October 16, 2023. On that date, Owens told the Developers about his influence in the City of Jackson and the ability to purchase the support of public officials in the City of Jackson,” per the indictment.
In August, Lee admitted to conspiracy to commit bribery, accepting nearly $20,000 in cash, deposits, and gifts. Two months later, Sherik Marve’ Smith also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, and his plea revealed the involvement of two additional elected officials from Jackson in the bribery scandal.
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