Judge grants motion for continuance in Jackson bribery case
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The January 6 trial date for three local government officials tied to a scheme to bring a convention center hotel to Jackson has been postponed.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan granted a motion by attorneys to continue the case, agreeing the case was complex and that “the nature of the prosecution includes charges that typically require extensive proof.”
“Considering that all parties see the case as complex (which it is) and need more time to prepare, the court specifically finds that ‘the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant[s] in a speedy trial,’” he wrote.
Jordan said new dates will be set once the parties confer on how many days would be needed for the trial and jury selection. He said the parties must submit that information to the court within 14 days.
The order comes about a month after Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Ward Six Councilman Aaron Banks, and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens were indicted in connection with the scheme.
Owens is facing eight charges, partly, for helping facilitate the delivery of some $80,000 in bribes to city officials from out-of-state developers for supporting a convention center hotel. The out-of-state developers were confidential human sources with the FBI.
The mayor allegedly took $50,000 in bribes from the so-called developers in the form of campaign finance donations to shorten the response time for developers to respond to a request for qualifications for the project. He allegedly accepted the checks after being flown by private jet to a yacht in Ft. Lauderdale. After that meeting, he was given access to $5,000 to spend at a Miami strip club.
A request for qualifications was issued by the city in January seeking developers interested in developing 7.75 acres across from the Jackson Convention Complex. Three firms, including Facility Solutions Team, a front company out of Tennessee, responded.
Owens, who was listed as a partner of FST’s response to RFQ, filed incorporation papers for the company on March 19, days after responses for the RFQ were due.
Banks, meanwhile, allegedly received some $10,000 in cash for his support for the project. He also bragged to FBI informants that he could use his position on the council to freeze salary increases if the date for the RFQ was not moved.
The three pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment earlier this month.
See all of our coverage of the Jackson Bribery Scheme here.
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