Sunday, January 18, 2026

"Incompetent" and "Cheap"

Such is how a manager at the Downtown Cigar Company described Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the rest of Jackson's municipal government to an undercover FBI agent.  The allegation was made in a sealed motion to dismiss filed by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.  Owens owns the cigar bar. 

A federal grand jury indicted Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Mayor Lumumba, and City Councilman Aaron Banks on public corruption charges in 2023.  Former Councilwoman Angelique Lee and insurance mogul Marve Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit bribery in 2023 as well. 

Owens filed a motion to dismiss with a supporting memorandum and 47 exhibits Monday in U.S. District Court.  The Justice Department almost immediately asked U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III to seal the filing the same day, claiming it violated a protective order.

Judge Jordan granted the request and sealed the filings the next day but not before most of the local media downloaded the motion and the supporting exhibits.  




Posted below are some juicy tidbits from an FBI request for a wire.  Keep in mind there is a good chance the confidential informants are Tonarri Moore and good ole Polo Edwards.  If so, the information is suspect. 






24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I’m so happy I don’t live in Jackson

Anonymous said...

This is not a surprise to anyone. Everyone already knew how crooked most of the politicians in Jackson are. If they were not crooked they would not have been elected in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Flaggs, you say? Any relation to George?

Anonymous said...

Other than crime, crooked politicians, streets that rip your tires off, terrible public schools, higher taxes, what do you want?

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the “mixed use” building in downtown Clinton was built under these same circumstances. For an apartment building to get tax breaks when Clinton used to ban building apartments, it makes me wonder……..corruption runs rampant in this state and the leaders are benefiting at the constituent’s expense.

Anonymous said...

I think this person nailed Chokwe LuDUMBa perfectly. He thinks he’s the smarted person in the room and meanwhile others laugh at his arrogance and stupidity.

Anonymous said...

He ain’t lying.

Anonymous said...

Lumumba’s Defense council: “this person is lying. There is no evidence that Mayor Lumumba is incompetent”

Prosecution: “your honor, we present exhibits 1 through 786,654,198,645 along with 235,000 witnesses that will address the incompetency of the mayor.”

Anonymous said...

Yes just read Elliott is the SON of George! Suprise suprise

Anonymous said...

Being that they got caught before any action was taken, what is the process to sell city owned property to a private for profit business?

Anonymous said...

Where is the poster who claims everyone is playing checkers and Lumumba is playing chess? Seems his own people are calling this whole cast of clowns idiots.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Elliot Flaggs is the son of George Flaggs, former mayor of Vicksburg. The rabbit hole goes deeper and deeper with this ordeal.

Anonymous said...

Let's do pretend that political corruption is limited to any one place in Mississippi and that attempts to strengthen a state constitution that, in favoring the railroads, made political corruption easier. And let's pretend that ONE powerful politician didn't call a halt to the process . Surely the history of the Constitution Commission still exists.

Anonymous said...

Is reserved seating available for the trial(s) in July?

Anonymous said...

Remember on this day that what we are seeing is the content of their character.

Anonymous said...

When AJ Roberts allegedly said Chokwe and crew were incompetent and cheap it wasn't a bad thing given who he was talking to and what they were talking about!

Anonymous said...

Sista Rukia: "We resemble that remark." Right?

Anonymous said...

The eternal question: Why does public service attract such psychopaths?

Anonymous said...

What do you want to wager that Lumumba and crew didn't pay their bill at the cigar store.

Anonymous said...

To 5:51 am, no tax breaks were given to Hillman Commons in Clinton. Phil Fisher

Anonymous said...

Oh, that’s right. I forgot. No mail today. Can I work outside in my yard?

Anonymous said...

to 8:35................did you ever time that comment perfectly.

Anonymous said...

To attempt to run a financially declining, broke city as a socialist mecca, "the most radical city in the country" with employees who have limited or no real experience in finance or municipal administration defines incompetence. Their main qualification was their radical ideology. It's amazing they lasted as long as they did.

Anonymous said...

As a souvenir from her trip to Manchuria, my cousin brought me a 'Hand Fan' (the ones that fold-out, as distinct from the non-folding 'Church Fans') featuring oval portraits of high-ranking CCP Generals. You can imagine how much I treasure such an idem.

She was going to bring me Goyard and Armani knockoffs from the 'Fake Mall', but realized I can afford the real thing, so all I got was a fan.

But I have an idea. How about custom hand fans with portraits of distinguished Jackson Leaders, with (in elegant script, of course, and backed by an inspiring sunrise scene) reading "CHEAP & INCOMPETENT" ????

Just checked, and YES! As with custom tees (and Reunion Swingers Club coffee mugs), customized hand fans are easy to order.

I can just see myself in moments of feverish reverence, fanning my dewy brow - up in church, or at important funerals.

What a way to make a statement! I'd want it in several colorways, to be assured my fan wouldn't clash with my dress...


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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