Sherik Marve Smith Charged in Jackson Bribery Case

Sherik Marve Smith has been indicted as part of the ongoing bribery investigation that previously implicated former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee. Smith is accused of conspiring with at least two unnamed city officials to facilitate cash payments from FBI agents posing as real estate developers, aiming to influence votes on a downtown development project. In his role, Smith allegedly coordinated payments and negotiations, which included a $10,000 cash bribe and contributions to a co-conspirator's reelection campaign. The unsealed court documents indicate that this scheme involved efforts to cover up the nature of the payments and included instructions to city employees to alter deadlines in favor of the development proposal. Smith has pleaded not guilty and has been ordered to forfeit $20,000, while Lee awaits sentencing for her own guilty plea related to the same case. Investigations also led to federal raids on properties associated with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, who remains linked to the ongoing inquiry.