The mayor of Mississippi’s capital said Thursday that “he will continue to handle the business of the city” after he pleaded not guilty to charges related to allegations of a bribery scheme that have also led to the indictments of a prominent district attorney and a former City Council president.

The mayor of Mississippi’s capital city, the top prosecutor in the state’s largest county and a Jackson city council member have been indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges in a case that has already forced the resignation of another city council member.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is facing five federal charges, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens is facing eight charges, and Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks is facing two.

Several top elected officials in Mississippi's most populous county are now all defendants in a federal bribery probe. HuffPost reporter Sam Levine tweeted an announcement from the Department of Justice,

The mayor of Mississippi’s capital city says he has been indicted in an alleged bribery operation, and he said it is a “political prosecution” to hurt his 2025 campaign for reelection.

Mississippi District Attorney Mayor and Council member were charged with bribery and corruption. Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens II, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, and former President and current member of the Jackson City Council Aaron Banks,