JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – A Jackson City councilwoman has resigned after she was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

According to court documents, Angelique Lee, former councilwoman of Jackson’s Ward 2, accepted cash, deposits and other gifts for her future votes in favor of two unidentified individuals’ proposed real estate development project in the City of Jackson. Both individuals were confidential human sources employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The documents showed that Lee accepted $19,000 from February 2024 to March 2024.

According to the court documents, Lee will be ordered to forfeit several items, including more than $13,000 in U.S. currency, a pair of Valentino wedge sandals, a Christian Louboutin tote bag, and a pair of Christian Louboutin sandals.

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

Lee appeared in federal court in Jackson on Wednesday, August 14. During her first court appearance, Lee waived her right to an indictment by a grand jury. She received a $10,000 bond.

Lee appeared in federal court again later Wednesday afternoon, and she pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. She is expected to be sentenced at 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2024.

During a news conference the same day, Jackson City Council President Virgi Lindsay, Ward 7, announced Lee resigned effective immediately. Lee informed the Council of her decision in a letter.

“Circumstances that I am not at liberty to discuss at the moment, have led to this decision. I will greatly miss working with each of you, and I am proud of the work we have done as a collective body for the City of Jackson and its citizens,” Lee said in the letter.

Both Lindsay and Councilman Aaron Banks, Ward 6, said they have not spoken with Lee, and the development came as a shock.

“As president of the City Council, it is with a heavy heart that I have accepted her resignation. Under these unfortunate circumstances, the Ward 2 seat is now vacant. My intent today is to reassure the people of the City of Jackson that the urgent legislative affairs of the city will continue uninterrupted. I know our citizens to be resilient, resourceful and generous,” Lindsay said during the news conference.

The City Council will be required to meet within the next 10 days and order a special election to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held between 30 and 45 days of that date.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba released a statement about Lee’s resignation to WJTV 12 News.

“While I am saddened to see her step down, I fully respect her decision and support her in her future endeavors. On behalf of the entire city, I want to express my deep gratitude for her service and dedication. We will miss her leadership on the council, but we know she will continue to be a passionate advocate for our community in other ways,” the mayor said.

Lee was elected to the Ward 2 seat during a special election in 2020. The seat was previously held by former City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr., who resigned that year.

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