Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee resigns after federal bribery charge

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A city councilwoman in Mississippi’s capital resigned Wednesday and then pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

“Circumstances that I am not at liberty to discuss at the moment, have led to this decision,” Angelique Lee said in her resignation letter. “I will greatly miss working with each of you, and I am proud of the work we have done as a collective body for the City of Jackson and its citizens.”

Court documents accuse Lee and unnamed co-conspirators of accepting bribes in exchange for votes in favor of proposed real estate developments by two undercover FBI agents who claimed to be from Nashville, Tennessee, looking to develop a site in downtown Jackson, news outlets report. The bribes were also for Lee’s support for future development projects proposed by the undercover agents, documents show.

The court filing said Lee received $3,000 in cash and had access to a bank account and a credit card in which she spent about $6,000 at a luxury retail store in Jackson. She is also accused of accepting a $10,000 electronic transfer to pay off a portion of her campaign debt. The alleged crimes occurred from February of this year to March, officials said.

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During a hearing Wednesday in federal court, Lee entered the guilty plea and a judge set bond for her at $10,000. Jail records do not indicate an attorney who could speak on her behalf. If convicted of the charge, she faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Lee’s resignation comes nearly three months after the FBI reportedly seized Lee’s cellphone on the same day agents raided the offices of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and the downtown cigar shop that he owns.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the process to fill Lee’s seat on the council will begin immediately. The City Council is required to meet within 10 days to set the date for a special election.

“While I am saddened to see her step down, I fully respect her decision and support her in her future endeavors,” Lumumba said. “On behalf of the entire city, I want to express my deep gratitude for her service and dedication. We will miss her leadership on the council, but we know she will continue to be a passionate advocate for our community in other ways.”

Lee was elected to the Ward 2 seat during a special election in 2020. The seat was previously held by former city Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr., who resigned that year.