Daijiworld Media Network - Jackson
Jackson, Jul 7: Former Jackson mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in connection with a bribery scandal linked to a proposed downtown convention centre hotel project, marking a major development in a corruption case that has also ensnared several senior Mississippi officials.
Lumumba entered the guilty plea in federal court on Monday, just days before he was scheduled to stand trial alongside former Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case stems from an FBI undercover operation in which agents posed as real estate developers from Nashville seeking support for a downtown hotel project promoted by Lumumba's administration.
According to prosecutors, Lumumba admitted agreeing to accept $50,000 in what appeared to be campaign contributions in exchange for advancing the project's application deadline. The money was allegedly delivered as five cheques of $10,000 each.
Investigators said the arrangement was reached during a meeting aboard a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in April 2024, where former Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens II was also present. Prosecutors alleged that Lumumba directed a city employee by phone to move the project's submission deadline from April 30 to April 15, giving the undercover "developers" an advantage over competitors.
Court records include photographs of Lumumba making the phone call and later receiving an envelope containing the cheques. After returning to Jackson, the five cheques were deposited into his campaign account, which reportedly had a balance of only about $465 before the deposit.
Owens, who resigned as district attorney after pleading guilty last week, also admitted his role in the scheme. Prosecutors said he later arranged for cash to be made available to Lumumba during a visit to a local nightclub in Fort Lauderdale.
Lumumba had consistently denied any wrongdoing and had unsuccessfully sought dismissal of the indictment earlier this year before deciding to plead guilty.
The investigation has led to charges against several other prominent figures, including former Jackson City Council Vice President Angelique Lee, who resigned before pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Local businessman Sherik Smith has also pleaded guilty in connection with the case.
Former councilman Aaron Banks, who has denied the allegations, remains scheduled to stand trial later this month.