Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the former mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in connection with a real estate bribery scheme. Lumumba, who served as mayor from 2017 to 2025, admitted to accepting tens of thousands of dollars from FBI agents posing as real estate developers.
According to the indictment, Lumumba accepted $50,000 in the form of campaign contributions. He allegedly knew the funds were provided in exchange for his official action to ensure the approval of a proposed multi-million dollar downtown Jackson development project. Lumumba accepted the checks with the understanding that they were from the developers and offered in return for his official support.
The scheme involved former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, also a Democrat, who pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges last week. Owens allegedly funneled over $80,000 in payments to Lumumba, Jackson City Council former vice president Angelique Lee, and Sherik Marve Smith, a relative of Owens'. Owens reportedly solicited and accepted at least $115,000 in cash and promises of future financial benefits from the undercover agents, believing they were real estate developers from Nashville.
Lumumba had previously called the prosecution's charges a political prosecution. He lost his re-election bid in 2025 during the city's Democratic primary to John Horhn, who is now the mayor of Jackson.
Lumumba and Owens each face up to five years in prison. Their sentencing is scheduled for October 15.
Miami Herald and The Associated Press contributed to this report.