**Pretrial Conference Scheduled Next Month in Jackson Bribery Case**

A pretrial conference has been arranged for December 19 to discuss the charges against three prominent Jackson leaders who are allegedly involved in a bribery scandal. The conference in the U.S. District Court comes shortly before their trial date, which is set for January 6.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Ward Six Councilman Aaron Banks, and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens face serious accusations. Lumumba and Banks are charged with multiple offenses, including accepting cash, gifts, and other favors in exchange for advancing developers’ interests in bringing a convention center hotel to Jackson. Owens is accused of facilitating meetings between city officials and developers, as well as aiding in the solicitation of bribes on behalf of those developers. He faces eight different charges.

The timeline for legal motions is pressing. Parties must file motions by December 6, and responses are due by December 17. The federal grand jury indicted Lumumba, Owens, and Banks in October, and the three leaders pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearances on November 7.

Two other individuals connected to the case have already admitted their guilt. Sherik Marve’ Smith, a Hinds County businessman, and former Ward Two Councilwoman Angelique Lee have both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Lee stepped down from her city council position in August prior to entering her plea, while Smith followed suit in October. Both individuals now face potential sentences of up to five years in federal prison and fines amounting to $250,000.