Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens resigned on Monday after pleading guilty in a sprawling federal bribery case in Mississippi.Owens pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge Monday in U.S.District Court in Jackson, according to a report by local outlet WAPT.An October 2024 indictment initially charged Owens with conspiracy, federal program bribery, wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements, according to the report.The case stemmed from a 2022 FBI undercover operation where agents posed as real estate developers interested in building a convention center hotel in downtown Jackson, the outlet reported. JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, MAYOR FACING FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES TRAILS CHALLENGER IN MAYORAL ELECTION RESULTSDA Jody Owens entered a guilty plea on Monday following an October 2024 indictment.
(Office of the Hinds County District Attorney)Federal prosecutors allegedthat Owens accepted at least $115,000 in cash, along with promises of future financial perks, in exchange for using his influence to push the project through city government channels, according to WAPT.Undercover recordings allegedly captured Owens detailing how public officials could be bribed and how the illicit funds could be laundered through businesses and campaign donations, the outlet reported.DA Jody Owens was charged following a federal investigation involving the FBI.(Office of the Hinds County District Attorney)RESIGNATION IS THE NEW ESCAPE HATCH AS LAWMAKERS FACE EXPULSIONIn the wake of his guilty plea, Owens took to Facebook on Monday to announce his official resignation, which takes effect July 1.Calling it "one of the most difficult decisions" he has ever made, Owens wrote that while it "hurts beyond measure" to leave a position he loves, it was the best choice for his family and the district attorney's office. DA Jody Owens announced his resignation Monday following his guilty plea.
(Office of the Hinds County District Attorney)"Serving as your District Attorney has been th...