JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Two more elected leaders have been indicted in connection to a bribery scandal in Jackson.

According to court documents, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks, Ward 6, have been indicted along with Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba .

Jackson mayor indicted on federal bribery charges

Banks has been charged with conspiracy and bribery. Lumumba has been charged with conspiracy, bribery, use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. Owens has been charged with conspiracy, bribery, use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering and false statements.

Banks, Lumumba and Owens are expected to appear in federal court for their initial appearance at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.

Court documents in Banks, Owens and Lumumba case Download

Lumumba announced on Wednesday, November 6 that he was being indicted on bribery and related charges.

"To be clear, I have never accepted a bribe of any type. As mayor, I have always acted in the best interest of the citizens of Jackson. We believe this to be a political prosecution against me. Primarily designed to destroy my credibility and reputation within the community," said Lumumba.

Former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee and Sherik Marve Smith were previously charged in connection to a bribery scandal.

Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. Smith waived his right to prosecution by indictment and consented to prosecution by information, and he pled guilty to the charge. His sentencing has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 19, 2025.

Smith's case is similar to the case that was brought against Lee in August 2024. She resigned from the Jackson City Council after she was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

Second person charged in Jackson bribery scandal

Prosecutors said the former Ward 2 councilwoman accepted cash, deposits and other gifts for her future votes in favor of two unidentified individuals' proposed real estate development project in the City of Jackson. Both individuals were confidential human sources employed by the FBI. The documents showed that Lee accepted $19,000 from February 2024 to March 2024.

Investigators said the FBI raided Lee's home in May 2024 and found all of the items, except a sweatshirt and perfume. The Associated Press reported the seizure occurred on the same day agents raided the offices of Owens and the downtown cigar shop that he owns.

Lee pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, and her sentencing was pushed back to a later date.

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