Former Democratic mayor of state capital city pleads guilty for role in six-figure real estate bribery scheme
Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the former mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, has recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in connection to a six-figure real estate bribery scheme. Lumumba, who held office from 2017 to 2025, was accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars from Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, who had received the money from undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers.
Owens, also a Democrat, had pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges the week prior. According to the criminal indictment, Owens funneled over $80,000 in payments to Lumumba, Angelique Lee, the former vice president of the Jackson City Council, and Sherik Marve Smith, a relative of Owens, in exchange for their support of a multi-million-dollar downtown Jackson development project.
The indictment revealed that Owens had received at least $115,000 in cash and promises of future financial benefits from the undercover agents, while Lumumba accepted $50,000 in the form of campaign contributions. The money was given in exchange for their approval and assistance with the real estate developments, implicating them both in the bribery scheme.
Despite initially dismissing the charges as a political prosecution, Lumumba eventually pleaded guilty. He lost his re-election bid in 2025 to John Horhn, who is now the current mayor of Jackson. Lumumba and Owens could potentially face up to five years in prison, with their sentencing scheduled for October 15.
Legal representatives for Lumumba, Owens, and Lee, as well as the city of Jackson, have been contacted for further comment on the matter. The case highlights the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in public office, and serves as a reminder of the consequences that come with engaging in corrupt practices.
