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Second person indicted in Jackson bribery scandal

E.Anderson38 min ago

JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – A second person who was allegedly involved in the Jackson bribery scandal has been indicted. The case previously brought down former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee.

According to the court documents that were unsealed on Thursday, Sherik Marve Smith conspired with unindicted Co-conspirators A, B, C and others. The indictment said Co-conspirator B and Co-conspirator C are elected officials of the City of Jackson.

Sentencing continued for former Jackson councilwoman

The indictment 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.

Smith indictment Download

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.

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

FBI bribery probe may have looked at other Jackson councilmembers

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.

According to Smith's LinkedIn bio, he is an insurance agent with Penn Global Marketing.

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