Political Persecution? Popular Jackson, MS, Mayor And Morehouse Alumni Indicted On Bribery Charges

Jackson, Mississippi’s prominent and popular mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, and two other local officials, including Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and City Council member Aaron Banks, were indicted on federal bribery charges. They have all pleaded not guilty. The allegations detail a federal sting operation in which undercover FBI agents, posing as real estate developers, reportedly offered substantial bribes in exchange for political support on a proposed downtown hotel project. This marks a critical moment for Lumumba, a Morehouse College alumnus who was first elected in 2017 and who is considered a transformative figure within Jackson’s predominantly Black community.

According to the 32-page indictment, federal agents approached Lumumba and other city officials, disguising themselves as developers with plans to construct a hotel on a long-vacant prime property in downtown Jackson, The New York Times reported. The indictment alleges that Lumumba accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions as a bribe, while Banks requested a similar sum, a security detail, as well as a job for a family member in exchange for their backing.

The scheme was reportedly orchestrated by Owens. Prosecutors claim Lumumba even took a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, aboard a private jet paid for by the FBI agents, where he and Owens met with the undercover developers on a yacht. The indictment describes Lumumba’s alleged actions as a “reactive” role.

Lumumba addressed the public in a video posted to the city’s Facebook page, denying any wrongdoing and asserting that he was the victim of a political prosecution aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have, in fact, indicted me on bribery and related charges,” Lumumba said. “To be clear, I have never accepted a bribe of any type. As mayor, I have always acted in the best interests of the city of Jackson.”

He added, “We believe this to be a political prosecution against me, primarily designed to destroy my credibility and reputation within the community.”

The most serious charges facing Lumumba carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison

Meanwhile, weeks earlier New York City Mayor Eric Adams was been charged with bribery, campaign finance violations, and conspiracy by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Over nearly a decade, Adams allegedly accepted illegal campaign contributions and luxury Travel from foreign nationals, including a Turkish government official, in exchange for political favors. Adams too denies all charges.