JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Attorneys representing the federal government and the local leaders charged in the city’s latest bribery scandal say January 6 is likely too early to go to trial, citing the large amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed in the case.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks, and Hinds County District attorney Jody Owens were set to go to trial in January in connection with their involvement in scheme to bring a convention center hotel to downtown Jackson.
The three pleaded not guilty in federal court earlier this month, and a trial date and briefing schedule were set.
However, attorneys on both sides say that’s not enough time to begin and complete discovery in the case, with the parties still determining how the data could be sent to defense attorneys and how it could be managed.
“The scope… is estimated to involve hundreds of hours of audio and video recordings, as well as thousands of pages of discovery,” the joint motion states. “Considering the volume and nature of discovery, and the challenges inherent to managing it, the defense estimates that it will require several months from the time the government produces discovery to prepare for trial.”
According to records, materials include toll records, tax returns, transcripts, financial records, reports of interviews, electronic communications, search warrant returns of devices and electronic accounts, and other items.
“The parties are actively collaborating to identify and facilitate a searchable platform for the defense to receive and manage the [materials],” the motion states. “In light of the foregoing, the parties have conferred and jointly request a trial date… that is mutually agreeable to the parties and that is sufficient… for all the parties to prepare.”
Owens is facing multiple charges, including one count each of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, making false statements, and using an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, and three counts of federal program bribery.
Lumumba is charged with five counts: conspiracy, federal program bribery, use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, and honest services wire fraud.
Banks’ charges include conspiracy and federal program bribery.
Indictments show that Owens worked on behalf of two individuals posing as real estate developers to solicit bribes from city officials in support of a convention center hotel project.
The developers were said to be from a firm called Facility Solutions Team, out of Nashville.
Owens allegedly facilitated over $80,000 in bribe payments to Banks, Lumumba, and former Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee in exchange for “their agreement to take official action to ensure the approval of the developers’ multimillion-dollar downtown Jackson development project.”
Banks allegedly asked for $50,000 but received $10,000 in exchange for his support. Meanwhile, Lumumba is said to have accepted $50,000 in bribes in campaign finance contributions. Developers also made $5,000 available to him to spend at a Maimi strip club.
Meanwhile, three attorneys have filed motions to appear to represent Lumumba. They are Jeffrey Edison, Winston Thompson III, and Gerald Evelyn. According to UPI, Evelyn represented Bobby Ferguson, a contractor connected to the federal corruption case involving former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
The Associated Press reported that Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison in connection with running what was called the “‘Kilpatrick Enterprise,’ a scheme to shake down contractors and reward allies,” during his time as the Motor City’s top elected official. He was released after serving more than 7 years in prison after being granted clemency by President Donald Trump.
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