Former Jackson Mayor Lumumba Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in Federal Bribery Case
Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has entered a guilty plea for conspiracy just before his federal bribery trial was set to commence in U.S. District Court. This change in plea follows former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens' guilty plea for conspiracy. Ex-City Councilman Aaron Banks is also expected to plead guilty to conspiracy. The trio was indicted in October 2024 and was scheduled to go on trial on July 13 in federal court. The charges arose from an FBI undercover operation in 2022 involving agents posing as real estate developers seeking assistance from city officials and Owens to advance a downtown Jackson convention center hotel project. Lumumba faced charges of conspiracy, federal program bribery, use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. In November 2024, Lumumba initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but has now changed his plea to guilty. Owens, who has since resigned as Hinds County district attorney, is set to be sentenced on October 15, facing a potential sentence of up to 5 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and probation.