Capital city Democratic mayor, prosecutor indicted in undercover bribery sting
The Democratic mayor of Mississippi’s capital, Jackson, along with its top county prosecutor and a city councilman, found themselves embroiled in controversy as they were indicted in an FBI sting operation. The allegations centered around claims that city officials were accepting payments in exchange for favorable treatment in future real estate deals.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II, and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks were charged with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering by the Department of Justice. Lumumba, the son of the late Republic of New Afrika leader Chokwe Lumumba, vehemently denied the accusations in a video statement, calling the indictment a “political prosecution” aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
In the wake of the indictment, Lumumba appealed to the residents of Jackson for patience and prayers, vowing to vigorously defend himself against the charges. The Department of Justice emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable for abusing their positions of power for personal gain, stating that such actions erode public confidence in government.
The indictment alleged that Owens had facilitated monetary bribes to Jackson officials on behalf of individuals posing as Tennessee developers, who were actually undercover FBI agents. Owens was accused of instructing the developers to secure the support of certain public officials in Jackson through bribery. Banks, the city councilman, was implicated in soliciting a $50,000 bribe for future votes supporting a development project in the Mississippi capital.
The three officials were caught in a sting operation on a yacht in Broward County, Florida, negotiating what they believed to be payments from the developers. Despite assurances from Owens that the individuals were not FBI agents, the officials were later found to be engaging in corrupt activities. Lumumba reportedly received checks totaling $50,000, which were deposited into his campaign account upon returning to Mississippi.
In a public appearance following the indictment, Lumumba maintained his innocence, declaring, “I am not guilty, and so I will not proceed as a guilty man.” Owens, on the other hand, criticized the FBI investigation, describing it as flawed and based on selective statements taken out of context.
The unfolding scandal has sent shockwaves through the city of Jackson, raising concerns about the integrity of its leadership and the potential impact on future development projects. As the legal proceedings progress, the truth behind the allegations is expected to come to light, shedding further light on the extent of corruption within the city’s government.
