Hinds County DA, Jackson mayor and city councilman indicted in federal corruption probe

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Jackson city councilman Aaron Banks have been indicted on federal corruption and bribery charges.

Federal indictments against Owens, Lumumba and Banks unsealed Thursday accuse the district attorney of bribing the mayor with campaign contributions to move a bid deadline in favor of the fictitious developers. Banks allegedly took cash bribes and favors in exchange for his future vote on the development. All three of them will be arraigned in federal court Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

Another city council member Angelique Lee, was the first to resign and plead guilty in August to her part in the scheme, including a $6,000 FBI-funded shopping spree for, among other things, Valentino sandals and a Christian Louboutin tote bag. Owens’ cousin and business associate, Sherik “Marve” Smith, also pleaded guilty in October for acting as a go-between for the district attorney with both Lumumba and Banks.

This is a developing story that will be updated.