Mississippi Supreme Court disbars former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba

The Mississippi Supreme Court permanently disbarred former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba on Oct. 15, accepting his irrevocable resignation from the practice of law following his guilty plea in a federal public corruption case.

In its order, the court ruled that Lumumba must be permanently disbarred under the rules governing attorney discipline in Mississippi. The decision follows a request by the Mississippi Bar to take action against Lumumba after he pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge in July.

Lumumba, who served as Jackson’s mayor from 2017 to 2025, admitted to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery in connection with a scheme involving a proposed downtown convention center hotel. He lost his bid for reelection in 2025.

The federal investigation centered on two undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers who sought favorable treatment from Jackson officials for a proposed hotel project near the Jackson Convention Complex.

According to federal prosecutors, Lumumba accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions in connection with the scheme and directed a city employee to shorten a bidding deadline to benefit the purported developers. The agents were operating undercover as part of an investigation into public corruption.

Lumumba pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The disbarment is separate from the federal criminal case and does not determine his sentence. His federal sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 5, although his attorneys have sought another postponement.

The case also involved former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and former Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the investigation. Owens was permanently disbarred by the Mississippi Supreme Court in July.

Under the Oct. 15 order, Lumumba must notify his former clients of his disbarment within 30 days and distribute any funds held in trust in connection with his law practice. He must also file an affidavit with the court within 45 days confirming compliance with those requirements.

The court’s decision permanently bars Lumumba from practicing law in Mississippi.

You can read the order here.