Former Jackson mayor and councilman plead guilty in federal corruption case
Jackson, Miss. — Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and ex-City Council member Aaron Banks pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy charges in a federal corruption case, according to court records.
The pleas came a week after Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens also pleaded guilty in the case and just days before scheduled trials. The federal grand jury indicted Lumumba, Owens, and Banks earlier this year on multiple charges related to their alleged involvement in a scheme to secure city approval for a downtown hotel project.
Lumumba pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, wire fraud and money laundering. Banks pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The defendants face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution requests from the government. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15, with all three defendants remaining free until then.
Outside the courthouse, supporters of Lumumba expressed support. Some supporters placed their hands on their chests as Lumumba left the courtroom, wiping tears from his eyes and receiving hugs. He declined to comment to reporters. Lawyers from the National Conference of Black Lawyers defended his legacy, criticizing what they called “double standards” in justice and emphasizing the broader context of racial disparities in prosecutions of Black officials.
Lumumba, who served as mayor from 2017 until 2025, lost his re-election bid earlier this year. His tenure included an ambitious plan to transform Jackson into “the most radical city on the planet.” The indictment alleges that Lumumba accepted $50,000 in campaign donations in exchange for aiding developers seeking federal funds for a hotel project. Court documents state he discussed a payment with agents posing as developers while on a yacht off Florida’s coast and took actions described as “ministerial,” which federal prosecutors argued did not constitute official acts.
Prosecutors also charged Owens and Banks with involvement in a scheme involving two undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers. The agents sought to build a convention center hotel using federal city funds. The indictment claims the agents funneled money through Owens, Banks, and Lumumba as part of an effort to secure city approval. Owens resigned last week after pleading guilty, and the Mississippi Bar has requested his immediate suspension from practicing law.
Two other individuals, former City Council member Angelique Lee and Owens’ cousin Sherik “Marve” Smith, have already pleaded guilty in the case. The investigation into Jackson’s political leadership began in 2022 amid longstanding allegations of corruption. The case has garnered national attention, highlighting issues of justice and racial disparities in prosecutions of Black officials.
During Monday’s proceedings, Lumumba and Banks maintained their pleas, with Lumumba accepting the facts presented by prosecutors. Judge Daniel P. Jordan III asked Lumumba if he agreed with the factual basis; he responded affirmatively, signaling acceptance of the charges. The case’s resolution leaves unresolved the broader questions about accountability and political integrity in Jackson, Mississippi.
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