JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said his legal team informed him that federal prosecutors have indicted him on bribery and related charges.

This comes after two others , including former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee, were charged in connection to a bribery scandal.

"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.

The mayor said his legal team will defend him against the charges.

Second person charged in Jackson bribery scandal

Lee and Sherik Marve Smith were previously charged in connection to a bribery scandal.

According to the court documents, Smith conspired with unindicted Co-conspirators A, B, C and others. The documents said Co-conspirator B and Co-conspirator C are elected officials of the City of Jackson.

The documents stated that Smith and Co-conspirator A agreed to give things of value, including cash payments and campaign contributions, to the two elected officials. Co-conspirator B allegedly agreed to vote in favor of a real estate development that was proposed by two confidential sources employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the court documents, Co-conspirator C directed one or more Jackson city employees to move a deadline in favor of the two FBI sources, who were posing as real estate developers.

The payments included $10,000 from the two FBI sources to Co-conspirator B, protective services for Co-conspirator B and an employment opportunity for a family member of Co-conspirator B. Smith allegedly sent a $10,000 check to Co-conspirator C's re-election committee using funds from the two FBI sources.

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.

Sentencing continued for former Jackson councilwoman

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.

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 Hinds County District Attorney Jody 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.

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News