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In Jackson, Mississippi, the mayor is facing serious bribery and conspiracy accusations, contributing to the already tumultuous state of the capital. The situation worsened after a federally appointed official took charge of the water system, which was on the verge of collapse. Additionally, state police have been monitoring areas in the predominantly Black city due to worries expressed by white legislators regarding crime rates.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, along with two other Democratic officials, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Council member Aaron B. Banks, entered not guilty pleas to the federal charges last Thursday. They will remain free while they await trial linked to plans for developing a long-empty downtown lot.
“I am not guilty, and I will not act as a guilty person,” declared the mayor, who aims for a third term in 2025. Lumumba, who identifies as a Black radical committed to addressing oppressive systems, asserts that he is the target of political persecution, claiming that even with a Democratic administration, the Justice Department is pursuing him.
Rukia Lumumba, the mayor’s sister, echoed these sentiments on social media, suggesting that powerful figures are working against her brother because he poses a threat to their authority. “As Spike Lee says, WAKE UP! They come for the best of us because we are threatening their power,” she stated on Facebook.
Distrust in the government has become deeply ingrained in Jackson. Many residents feel that state leadership has hindered efforts to aid the city, while others criticize local government for failing to provide essential services. City Council member Kenneth Stokes has been a vocal critic of the mayor, stating that the indictments further heighten public skepticism. “You’re drinking dirty water. You can’t get your streets paved. You already lost trust,” he told media sources. He urged those seeking public office to focus on genuine service rather than self-interest.
Jackson’s demographics have shifted considerably, with a reduction in population from a peak of about 203,000 in 1980 to roughly 143,700 today. The city is predominantly Black, with over 80% of residents identifying as such, and around 25% living in poverty. The city has grappled with persistent water quality issues and staffing challenges at its treatment facilities.
A significant disruption occurred in early 2021 when a cold snap damaged treatment equipment, leaving many residents with low or no water pressure. This situation persisted for weeks, forcing thousands to rely on water from distribution points for basic needs. Following severe weather in August and September 2022, the city’s water crisis intensified, leading to a boil-water advisory and prompting the federal government to bring in an independent overseer for the system despite the mayor’s opposition.
Further tension arose in 2023 when the largely white and Republican-controlled legislature voted to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police, giving them broader authority in Jackson. Critics argued the expansion would disproportionately empower white officials over the predominantly Black population. In response, Republican Governor Tate Reeves and Mayor Lumumba initiated “Operation Unified,” an initiative to tackle violent crime collaboratively.
The legal troubles for Lumumba, Owens, and Banks stem from an FBI investigation where two agents posed as developers interested in establishing a hotel near the downtown convention center. Court documents allege the operation involved payments, including $50,000 intended for the mayor’s reelection campaign.
Previous charges in the bribery investigation implicated two other individuals. City Council member Angelique Lee, also a Democrat, resigned in August and has already pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, with sentencing set for Wednesday. Meanwhile, Sherik Marve Smith, an insurance broker and relative of Owens, entered a guilty plea to a federal bribery charge and agreed to forfeit $20,000, with his sentencing scheduled for February 19.
Earlier this year, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Owens’ office and a downtown cigar bar he owns. During the raid, agents reportedly discovered a lockbox disguised as a book labeled “U.S. Constitution,” containing approximately $20,000, including nearly $9,900 that could be traced back to the alleged developers.
The indictment states that Owens boasted about his influence over local officials, asserting that he had “information on all the city councilmen” and could secure votes for projects. Moreover, he claimed that state politicians commonly rely on campaign contributions and mentioned strategies to “clean” outside money through in-state banks, indicating a disregard for the source of finances.
According to the indictment, Owens allegedly facilitated over $80,000 in bribes to the mayor, Banks, and Lee in return for their support of the multi-million-dollar downtown development project. Outside the courthouse, Banks refrained from commenting on the charges, while Owens criticized the FBI investigation, stating that the alleged evidence amounted to “cherry-picked statements of drunken, locker-room banter” and not criminal activity.
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