Just hours after her abrupt resignation, it’s been revealed that former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee is facing charges related to accepting bribes while serving as an elected official.
According to court documents obtained by SuperTalk Mississippi News and sources at the Thad Cochran Federal Courthouse, Lee made her initial court appearance on Wednesday afternoon in front of Judge Lakeysha Greer Isaac. The former Ward 2 councilwoman is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in cash and luxury items in exchange for her support of a staged real estate project presented to her by undercover FBI sources.
Lee, who could spend up to five years in prison if she enters a guilty plea during an arraignment hearing scheduled for 2:30 p.m., faces one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. She could also have to pay up to $250,000 in fines.
Court documents continue, asserting Lee, 48, accepted the bribes of $13,654 in cash between February and March 2024. Lee is also accused of using an additional $6,000 on a credit card provided by one of the FBI sources. On top of the monetary bribes, Lee is said to have received designer handbags, Golden Goose shoes, among other items, to vouch for the real estate project and the closure of a road related to the project through her role as a city council member.
Two individuals were named as ‘a confidential human source’ employed by the FBI and “purported to be a real estate developer from Nashville, Tennessee, seeking to invest in and develop a property in downtown Jackson, Mississippi,” per the five-page filing.
“Lee is accused of committing offenses against the United States, including Federal Program Bribery, that is, to corruptly solicit, demand, accept, and agree to accept for her own benefit, things of value from [FBI sources]… intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business transaction and series of transactions of the city of Jackson, valued at $5,000 or more,” the filing continues.
Lee waived her right to a grand jury. The charges come months after FBI agents raided the business and office of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens while paying a visit to City Hall. An unidentified co-conspirator mentioned in court documents has yet to be indicted.
Ben Milam contributed to this report.
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