Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the former mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, pleaded guilty on July 7, 2026, to one count of conspiracy for his involvement in a six-figure real estate bribery scheme. Lumumba served as mayor from 2017 to 2025 and allegedly accepted tens of thousands of dollars distributed by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, who had received the funds from undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers.

According to a criminal indictment obtained by Fox News Digital, Owens funneled over $80,000 in payments to Lumumba, Angelique Lee (former vice president of the Jackson City Council), and Sherik Marve Smith, a relative of Owens. Owens himself pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges last week.

The indictment states that Owens procured money from individuals he believed to be developers from Nashville, Tennessee, "in exchange for their agreement to take official action to ensure the approval of the Developers' proposed multi-million-dollar downtown Jackson development project." Owens "solicited and accepted at least $115,000 in cash and promises of future financial benefits from the Developers."

Lumumba accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions from the undercover FBI agents, fully aware that the money was offered in exchange for official action favoring the developers' project.

Notable quotes from the indictment:

  • "in exchange for their agreement to take official action to ensure the approval of the Developers' proposed multi-million-dollar downtown Jackson development project,"
  • "solicited and accepted at least $115,000 in cash and promises of future financial benefits from the Developers,"
  • "Lumumba accepted the checks knowing and understanding that the money was from the Developers, and that it was being offered in exchange for official action from Lumumba in favor of the Developers' proposed development project."

Additional context:

This case highlights ongoing investigations into corruption involving city officials in Jackson, Mississippi.

Sources