They are the indictments that the streets have been buzzing about for weeks, but no one knew what to expect. Once they were unsealed, it was like reading something out of a movie script.From the bravado of elected leaders, to money being hidden in a lockbox, it’s the anatomy of a scandal spelled out in a federal indictment.The indictments were unsealed Thursday, before Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks pleaded not guilty in federal court. Lumumba and Owens are facing a slew of charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, racketeering and bribery. Banks is charged with conspiracy and bribery.The court documents include dialogues, photos and details of trips the mayor and D.A. allegedly took with two undercover FBI agents who were posing as real estate developers. The investigation began in October 2023, when Owens was running for re-election. Federal prosecutors accuse Owens of developing a scheme to bribe Jackson elected officials. In the documents, FBI agents described Owens as ready, willing and predisposed to engage in bribery. At one point in the documents, Owens warned the undercover agents not to attract attention.According to the indictment, while on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the mayor is accused of accepting a $50,000 bribe from Owens through the developers. Lumumba was to get the money in the form of five checks made out to his re-election campaign.Banks is accused of receiving $10,000 in cash in February, a month after he allegedly met with the developers. Banks had asked for $50,000, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said Banks also received a paid security detail and a job for one of his family members. The indictment accuses Owens of introducing Lumumba to the developers, saying, “I’ve done background checks. They’re not FBI.”"This indictment is a horrible example of a flawed FBI investigation. And certainly, the indictment is an assassination attempt on my character. I’d like to go to each and every page of the indictment with you today, but my lawyer’s advice is that I can’t do that right now,” Owens said after Thursday’s hearing. “We will vividly fight all of these charges. We pleaded not guilty today. We think the truth has to come out. That cherry-picked statements from drunken locker room banter is not a crime.”Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes predicted the indictments months ago. Now, he’s advising the men to plead guilty instead of fighting the charges in court.“Consider your families. Don’t try to fight, like you’re going to be a martyr. The only thing you’re going to be is another old negro who made a bad decision,” Stokes said. If convicted of all the charges, Lumumba and Owens could be looking at lengthy prison sentences.

They are the indictments that the streets have been buzzing about for weeks, but no one knew what to expect. Once they were unsealed, it was like reading something out of a movie script.

From the bravado of elected leaders, to money being hidden in a lockbox, it’s the anatomy of a scandal spelled out in a federal indictment.

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The indictments were unsealed Thursday, before Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks pleaded not guilty in federal court. Lumumba and Owens are facing a slew of charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, racketeering and bribery. Banks is charged with conspiracy and bribery.

The court documents include dialogues, photos and details of trips the mayor and D.A. allegedly took with two undercover FBI agents who were posing as real estate developers.

The investigation began in October 2023, when Owens was running for re-election. Federal prosecutors accuse Owens of developing a scheme to bribe Jackson elected officials. In the documents, FBI agents described Owens as ready, willing and predisposed to engage in bribery. At one point in the documents, Owens warned the undercover agents not to attract attention.

According to the indictment, while on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the mayor is accused of accepting a $50,000 bribe from Owens through the developers. Lumumba was to get the money in the form of five checks made out to his re-election campaign.

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Banks is accused of receiving $10,000 in cash in February, a month after he allegedly met with the developers. Banks had asked for $50,000, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said Banks also received a paid security detail and a job for one of his family members.

The indictment accuses Owens of introducing Lumumba to the developers, saying, “I’ve done background checks. They’re not FBI.”

"This indictment is a horrible example of a flawed FBI investigation. And certainly, the indictment is an assassination attempt on my character. I’d like to go to each and every page of the indictment with you today, but my lawyer’s advice is that I can’t do that right now,” Owens said after Thursday’s hearing. “We will vividly fight all of these charges. We pleaded not guilty today. We think the truth has to come out. That cherry-picked statements from drunken locker room banter is not a crime.”

Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes predicted the indictments months ago. Now, he’s advising the men to plead guilty instead of fighting the charges in court.

“Consider your families. Don’t try to fight, like you’re going to be a martyr. The only thing you’re going to be is another old negro who made a bad decision,” Stokes said.

If convicted of all the charges, Lumumba and Owens could be looking at lengthy prison sentences.