JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Some members of the Jackson City Council are deriding what is being called a show of solidarity between the mayor and his top officials as a bad look.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba faces five federal charges in connection with a bribery scheme that has already led to the resignation of a city councilwoman.

He made his initial appearance Thursday.

(READ: Mayor, District Attorney, Councilman Plead Not Guilty to Jackson Bribery Scheme)

On his 0.3-mile walk from City Hall to the Federal Court, Lumumba was joined by several department heads, including chief administrative officer Louis Wright, chief financial officer Fidelis Malembeka, communications director Melissa Faith Payne, head of Firefighter Willie Owens and Deputy Police Chief. Vicente Grizzell.

District One Councilman Ashby Foote questioned why they stood with the mayor, saying they should distance themselves from Jackson’s top elected leader.

“The Department of Justice did not charge them and I don’t think they should step there as a show of support,” he said. “I’m not trying to tell you that you can’t do it. “I’m just saying it seems like the entire administration has been indicted.”

“But that’s not the case, at least right now.”

Ward Five Councilman Vernon Hartley had similar thoughts, saying any department head who went to court with the mayor should have taken time off to do so.

“I’m seeing a public relations person. I’m seeing the constituent services manager. “I’m looking at a CFO… I just hope they took a leave of absence to be able to do it, because that’s not what we do.”

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes had a slightly different opinion, saying many of those officials owe their jobs to the mayor.

“They realize that when the mayor leaves, most of them might leave,” he said. “They will be unemployed. “Some could become unemployed and never have the opportunity to work in the government again.”

Almost all department heads are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Once confirmed, they serve at the will and pleasure of the mayor.

Malembeka does not see that showing support for the mayor is a bad image and reminded the council that the mayor is innocent until proven guilty.

“There are people who think it’s a conviction, and that’s not an accusation,” he said. “We shouldn’t rush to judgment… Let them have their day in court. “They will follow the procedures and the truth will come to light.”

Lumumba is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery in federal programs, use of an interstate facility to assist organized crime, honest services wire fraud and money laundering.

If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 75 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

According to the indictment unsealed last week, the bribes came in the form of campaign finance contributions.

Court records indicate the mayor received five checks for $10,000 each in exchange for ordering a city employee to postpone the deadline for a qualifications request to build a hotel at a convention center.

The city issued the request in January. Three companies responded, including one believed to be an FBI front.

While meeting with developers in Ft. Lauderdale, Lumumba allegedly called a city employee telling them to move up the deadline for responses. Later, the mayor received the five checks.

(READ: ‘I don’t give a damn where the money comes from’: indictment details bribery scheme involving four local leaders)

Lumumba pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac. Two other accomplices, Ward Six Councilman Aaron Banks and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, also pleaded not guilty.

All three were released on $10,000 bail.

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