JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson residents are still processing the sweeping indictments against Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks.
The three elected leaders pled not guilty to the charges against them, which include bribery.
The 32-page indictment outlined misconduct amongst the officials. According to the court document, pictures of Lumumba and Owens in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, allegedly exchanging hefty amounts of cash, unsuspecting of the fact that FBI operatives were present.
Prosecutors said the trip occurred before the FBI raids in Jackson that happened in May 2024.
Second person charged in Jackson bribery scandal
“With our elected officials, you know, we have to hold ourselves individually to a higher standard to make sure that we’re doing the right thing. Because when you’re responsible for being a public servant, if you’re doing things that you’re not properly serving your people, we get to that. The issue of mistrust,” said State Rep. Fabian Nelson (D-District 66).
Russ Latino, the CEO and founder of the Magnolia Tribune, said the case will be a difficult battle to fight.
“Given the facts that are out there, it’s incredibly difficult, even given the amount of a penalty that is hanging over their heads. You know, if you’re if you’re Jody Owens, my recollection is that the penalty is something like potentially up to 90 years and $2 million. If you’re talking about Lumumba, the penalty is, I think, 70 years and $1.5 million that’s hanging over his head. Those sorts of numbers and the facts that are out there typically yield at some point a guilty plea. We’ll see if that happens or whether or not they continue to fight,” Latino stated.
Sentencing continued for former Jackson councilwoman
He said the defense will have to present an entrapment case for a possible chance at a win, but it will be extremely tough.
Banks, Lumumba and Owens are scheduled to appear in federal court again in January 2025.
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