The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, announced on Wednesday that he has been indicted on bribery and related charges. Lumumba, who has been serving as mayor since 2017, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he has never accepted any form of bribe and has always acted in the best interests of the city.
The charges stem from an undercover FBI operation where agents posed as real estate investors and invited the mayor to a fundraiser in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The agents purportedly expressed interest in developing property in downtown Jackson and supporting Lumumba's reelection campaign.
City Council member Angelique Lee had previously resigned and pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges as part of the same FBI investigation. Lumumba's legal team has vowed to vigorously defend him against the accusations, characterizing the indictment as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
In response to the indictment, Jackson City Council President Virgi Lindsay urged residents to remain patient and emphasized the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system. Lindsay affirmed her commitment to focusing on the city council's work and expressed confidence in allowing the legal process to unfold without premature judgment.
