Nov. 8 (UPI) --The mayor of Jackson, Miss., a city council member and a district attorney have been indicted on charges of participating in a bribery scheme,federal prosecutors said. The three defendants -- Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, 41 ...

The mayor and two other local officials pleaded not guilty on Thursday after being accused of taking part in a scheme in which F.B.I. agents posing as real estate developers offered bribes.

In a widening bribery investigation in Jackson, Mississippi, the mayor, district attorney and a councilman have been indicted on federal charges.

Lumumba's mayoral stint followed his father's, Chokwe Lumumba, who was elected as Ward 2's councilman in 2009, then as Jackson's mayor in 2013. His father's term, which Lumumba advised, would be cut short after he unexpectedly died in office in 2014. Lumumba ran to replace him in 2014, but he lost to Tony Yarber in a runoff.

The mayor of Mississippi’s capital said Thursday “he will continue to handle the business of the city,” after he pleaded not guilty to charges related to an alleged bribery scheme that has also led to the indictments of a prominent district attorney and former city council president.

Lumumba, Banks and Owens indictments follow former Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee, who pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge in August.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said his legal team informed him that federal prosecutors have indicted him on bribery and related charges. This comes after two others, including former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee,

Two more elected leaders have been indicted in connection to a bribery scandal in Jackson. According to court documents, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks,