Recently unsealed federal court records reveal that the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, the district attorney of Hinds County, and a city council member have been indicted on charges of conspiracy and bribery. The case, which has already led to the resignation of another city council member, involves allegations of corruption related to a proposed hotel development near the downtown convention center.
The charges stem from an FBI investigation in which undercover agents posed as real estate developers and provided payments to officials, including a $50,000 contribution to the mayor's reelection campaign. Despite the indictments, all three defendants pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance and are currently free pending trial.
In response to the allegations, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba maintained his innocence, describing the indictment as a politically motivated attack on his upcoming reelection campaign. District Attorney Jody Owens similarly denied the charges, characterizing the FBI investigation as flawed and an attempt to tarnish his reputation. The third defendant, City Council member Aaron B. Banks, chose not to comment to reporters.
The indictment alleges that Owens facilitated bribe payments totaling over $80,000 to Lumumba, Banks, and the previously resigned council member in exchange for their support of the downtown development project. Additionally, Owens is accused of accepting at least $115,000 in cash and future financial benefits from the undercover developers to influence his colleagues.
Further details from the indictment suggest that Lumumba directed a city employee to manipulate a deadline in favor of the developers, while Banks and the former council member agreed to support the project. The investigation also revealed that an individual related to Owens pleaded guilty to a bribery charge and agreed to forfeit $20,000.
Notably, the defendants and the undercover developers traveled together on a private jet to Florida, where a meeting on a yacht was recorded. During this meeting, Lumumba reportedly received campaign contributions and instructed a city employee to adjust a proposal deadline to benefit the developers.
The case underscores the serious allegations of corruption within the city's leadership and the ongoing legal battle that will determine the fate of the accused officials.
