Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and former City Council President Aaron Banks pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy in a bribery scheme. Their pleas occurred one week before they were scheduled to go to trial. Both are Democrats.
Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, also a Democrat, pleaded guilty and resigned last week in connection with the same scheme.
Two other individuals, Angelique Lee, the former vice president of the Jackson City Council, and businessman Sherik Marve Smith, have already pleaded guilty to bribery charges. Lee is also a Democrat, and Smith is reportedly a relative of Owens.
An indictment unsealed in November 2024 alleged that Owens accepted at least $115,000 from two FBI agents posing as real estate developers. The indictment further stated that Owens facilitated more than $80,000 in bribe payments to Banks, Lumumba, and Lee. These payments were reportedly in exchange for their assistance in expediting a development project.
Lumumba, Banks, and Owens each face a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for October 15.
Lumumba, who had previously characterized the charges as a political prosecution, lost his bid for reelection last year. His attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Banks' lawyer declined to comment.