Second person charged in Jackson bribery scandal

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A second person allegedly involved in the Jackson bribery scandal has been charged. The case previously brought down former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee.

According to court documents unsealed Thursday, Sherik Marve Smith conspired with unindicted co-conspirators A, B, C and others. The documents said that co-conspirator B and co-conspirator C are elected officials of the city of Jackson.

Sentencing continued for the former Jackson councilwoman

The documents said Smith and co-conspirator A agreed to give things of value, including cash payments and campaign contributions, to the two elected officials. Co-conspirator B allegedly agreed to vote in favor of a real estate development that was proposed by two confidential sources employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to court documents, co-conspirator C directed one or more Jackson city employees to move a deadline in favor of the two FBI sources, who were posing as real estate developers.

Download the case of Sherik Marve Smith

The payments included $10,000 from the two FBI sources to co-conspirator B, protective services for co-conspirator B, and a job opportunity for a family member of co-conspirator B. Smith allegedly sent a $10,000 check to the re-election of co-conspirator C. committee using funds from both FBI sources.

Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. On Thursday, he waived his right to be prosecuted by indictment and consented to be prosecuted by information. Smith pleaded guilty to the charge. His sentencing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 19, 2025.

Sherik Marve Smith attorney agreement Download

This case is similar to the case filed against Councilwoman Lee in August 2024. She resigned from the Jackson City Council after being charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

The FBI’s bribery investigation may have looked at other members of Jackson’s council

Prosecutors said the former Ward 2 councilwoman accepted cash, deposits and other gifts for her future votes in favor of the real estate development project proposed by two unidentified people in the city of Jackson. Both individuals were confidential human sources employed by the FBI. The documents showed Lee accepted $19,000 from February 2024 to March 2024.

Investigators said the FBI raided Lee’s home in May 2024 and found all the items except a sweatshirt and perfume. The Associated Press reported that the seizure came the same day agents raided the offices of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and the downtown cigar store he owns.

According to Smith’s LinkedIn bio, he is an insurance agent for Penn Global Marketing.

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