Federal trial in Jackson, Miss., government corruption scandal set for July 2026

A trial date has been set for the federal corruption case against three public officials in Mississippi’s capital region, including a Black Catholic in Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II.

The Department of Justice indicted Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, and City Councilman Aaron Banks last fall, alleging bribery that involved a downtown development.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan III said Friday that the trial will take place beginning July 13, 2026.

“The right to a speedy trial is also a public right,” Jordan said, following the defendants' request that the trial be held even later, in the fall of next year.

The three officials—all African-American men—have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stemmed from an FBI sting operation in 2023 that saw federal agents pose as real estate developers.

Owens was recorded negotiating deals with the undercover cops, using vulgar language that openly suggested criminal intent. FBI agents thereafter raided Owens’ office in downtown Jackson last May, discovering $20,000 in hidden cash as they built their case against the 43-year-old official. 

The wide-reaching aftermath also included then-Jackson councilwoman Angelique Lee and Owens’ cousin Sherk “Marve” Smith, who allegedly conspired with the others in a quid pro quo scheme involving more than $100,000 in cash and campaign contributions.

Facing her own federal charges, Lee resigned from the Jackson city council and pleaded guilty in August; she is yet to be sentenced. She was replaced by a fellow Black Catholic in Tina Clay, who won a special election in October to fill the Ward 2 seat.

Owens, Lumumba, and Banks have remained in office while maintaining their innocence.

Their trial was originally set to start in January of this year, before all parties requested more time to review the case and examine evidence. That joint motion was granted in November, though no date was set until this month.

Owens faces eight felony counts—including bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, criminal interstate commerce, and lying to federal officers—and up to 90 years in federal prison, alongside millions in fines. 

“Leaders who are awarded the public’s trust should be focusing on the needs of the Jackson community, not looking to line their own pockets and benefit themselves,” reads a November statement from then-U.S. Attorney Todd Gee, who has since resigned from the DOJ.

“As alleged in the indictment, from campaign donations generated through laundered money to stacks of cash bribes, the members of this conspiracy allegedly offered and accepted bribes in exchange for official acts.”

While continuing to promote his record as district attorney, Owens has described the conversations as “drunken locker room banter” that does not constitute illegal activity.

Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.

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