(7 Nov 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jackson, Mississippi – 07 November 2024
1. Wide of Jackson Mayor hokwe Antar Lumumb walking down the stairs of the Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumb, City of Jackson, Mississippi:
"As I indicated in my statement that went out, as I indicated in this courtroom today, I am not guilty. And so I will not proceed as a guilty man. I will continue to handle the business of the city of Jackson while my attorneys continue to handle the business of these court proceedings. I have full faith in their representation in me. There will be others that will be joining the legal team later on. And we will move forward."
3. Med of Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jody Owens, Hinds County District Attorney:
"This indictment is a horrible example of a flawed FBI investigation. And certainly the indictment was an assassination attempt on my character."
++BLACK FRAMES++
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jody Owens, Hinds County District Attorney:
"We pleaded not guilty today. And we think the truth has to come out that cherry-picked statements of drunken, locker-room banter is not a crime. And we are fighting these charges. But right now, I’m going to get back to protecting Hinds County and being the district attorney that you’ve elected us to be. Thank you."
6. Med of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens leaving with others
7. Jackson City Council member Aaron Banks walking out of the courthouse and not answering questions
STORYLINE:
The mayor of Mississippi’s capital city, the top prosecutor in the state’s largest county and a Jackson City Council member have been indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges in a case that has already forced the resignation of another city council member, according to federal court records unsealed Thursday.
The charges against Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and council member Aaron B. Banks were brought after two people working for the FBI posed as real estate developers who wanted to build a hotel near the convention center in downtown Jackson and provided payments to officials, including $50,000 for the mayor’s reelection campaign, according to court documents.
Lumumba, Jody Owens and Banks each pleaded not guilty Thursday during an appearance before a magistrate judge, with supporters of the mayor filling the small courtroom. The three men will remain free while awaiting trial.
Outside the courthouse, Lumumba spoke to the media.
“I am not guilty, and so I will not proceed as a guilty man,” Lumumba said. “I will continue to handle the business of the city of Jackson while my attorneys continue to handle the business of these court proceedings.”
Owens told reporters outside the courthouse Thursday that the indictment is “a horrible example of a flawed FBI investigation” and “an assassination attempt on my character.”
“We think the truth has to come out, that cherry-picked statements of drunken, locker-room banter is not a crime,” Owens said. He said he will fight the charges, “but right now, I’m going to get back to protecting Hinds County and being the district attorney that you’ve elected us to be.”
Banks declined to speak to reporters as he left the courthouse.
(AP Video by Emily Wagster Pettus)
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