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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 RESULTS
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.
RESIGNATION IS THE NEW ESCAPE HATCH AS LAWMAKERS FACE EXPULSION
In 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.
“Serving as your District Attorney has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime,” Owens wrote in the post.
“To everyone who has supported, encouraged, and prayed for Michelle, our children, and me over these past two years, thank you.… As we begin this next chapter, I ask only that you continue to keep our family in your prayers,” he added.
A conspiracy conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
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Owens’ sentencing date has been set for Oct. 15.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and Hinds County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
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