Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has been indicted as part of a federal corruption investigation

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the same Jackson bribery scandal that left a city councilwoman dead last month

Mayor Lumumba confirmed the news in a video released on Wednesday evening WLBT News.

The news comes weeks after Sherik Marve Smith pleaded guilty in connection with the scandal.

Smith's role was to funnel money to two unnamed city officials, who the documents say was Lumumba – although this has not been confirmed.

In August, former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee resigned and pleaded guilty to accepting money in exchange for a future vote to approve a hotel at the convention center.

In his video message released on Wednesday, Mayor Lumumba said: “It is with great disappointment that I come before you. My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have indeed charged me with bribery and related charges.

“Let me be clear: I never accepted bribes of any kind as mayor. I have always acted in the best interests of the citizens of Jackson,” he continued.

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