The federal corruption investigation into elected officials in Mississippi’s capital city has culminated in the indictments of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, and Ward 6 councilman Aaron Banks – all of whom are expected to be arraigned in federal court on Thursday.
In May, FBI agents conducted raids on the offices of Owens and multiple businesses owned by him in downtown Jackson. Agents also paid a visit to city hall.
After the subsequent indictment and guilty plea of former Ward 2 councilwoman Angelique Lee to federal bribery charges, rumors circulated that a slew of other city officials would be indicted on similar charges in the case – including Lumumba, Owens, and Banks.
According to recently unsealed court records, Lumumba, Owens, and Banks are each facing multiple charges in the case:
- Owens faces one count of conspiracy, five counts of federal bribery, one count of racketeering, one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of false statements.
- Lumumba faces one count of conspiracy, two counts of federal bribery, one count of racketeering, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.
- Banks faces one count of conspiracy and two counts of federal bribery.
The three are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Jackson.
