By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.,
Contributing Writer,
Former Jackson Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee pled guilty Wednesday in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, following a sweeping investigation that revealed her involvement in a downtown development scheme. The case, which has drawn significant attention, is assigned to U.S. District Judge Daniel Patrick Jordan, III.
According to court documents, the investigation uncovered that Lee had accepted multiple payments from two undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers from Nashville, identified in the documents as “Individual 1” and “Individual 2.” The payments included a $10,000 electronic transfer intended to pay off a portion of Lee’s campaign debt, a $3,000 cash payment on March 27 of this year, and $6,000 in credit card charges made at a luxury retail store in Jackson.
On the day of her guilty plea, Lee arrived at the Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse in the Southern District of Mississippi just before 1 p.m., accompanied by her attorney, Aafram Sellers. The hearing, presided over by Judge Lakeysha Greer Issac, was marked by a tense atmosphere as the charges were read aloud. Lee, visibly emotional, began to cry as she waived her right to a grand jury indictment.
The charge of conspiracy to commit bribery carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of the plea agreement, Lee is required to forfeit several assets obtained through the illegal scheme. These include $13,654 in U.S. currency, a pair of pink Valentino wedge sandals (size 7), a Christian Louboutin Cabata small tote bag in Paris Blooming Patent Leather, and numerous other high-end items. Among the additional forfeitures is an Aviator Nation boyfriend t-shirt (white, size small), all detailed in the court documents.
Lee’s legal troubles were compounded by public financial difficulties. In July, WLBT reported that Lee’s wages were being garnished to settle nearly $21,000 in campaign printing debt, a situation that likely added pressure leading to her acceptance of bribes.
In the wake of Lee’s resignation, City Council President Virgi Lindsay held a brief press conference earlier that day to address the unfolding situation. “Today, I was informed of the serious charges against Councilwoman Angelique Lee,” Lindsay said. “This is a difficult day for our city, but I want to reassure everyone that the work of the council will continue as we address these troubling developments.” The press conference lasted under two minutes, and Lindsay did not take any questions afterward.
A copy of Lee’s resignation letter was provided to the media, in which she expressed regret over her departure. “Circumstances that I am not at liberty to discuss at the moment have led to this decision,” she wrote. “I will greatly miss working with each of you, and I am proud of the work that we have done as a collective body for the city of Jackson and its citizens.”
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba also spoke on Lee’s resignation, stating, “While I am saddened to see her step down, I fully respect her decision and support her in her future endeavors. On behalf of the entire city, I want to express my deep gratitude for her service and dedication.”
With the Ward 2 seat now vacant, the council is required to meet within the next 10 days to schedule a special election to fill the position. The election must be held between 30 and 45 days after the meeting. Mayor Lumumba encouraged interested and qualified individuals to consider serving in this important role.
As the legal proceedings and federal investigation continue, the implications for the broader downtown development project and the officials involved remain uncertain. The story is still developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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