GRACYN... BA NKS REALLY EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH TODAY... TROY. HE WAS READING FROM A WRITTEN STATEMENT. SAYING THE PASTORS CLAIMS ARE SIMPLY NOT TR. UE JACKSON PASTOR DYNWA PICKETT IS SUING COUNCILMEMBERS AARON BANKS AND VIRGI LINDSAY FOR DEFAMATION...SLANDER AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. COUNCILMAN BANKS SAYS THAT PICKETT TRIED TO BRIBE HIM INTO VOTING FOR THE SECOND F...C...C CONTRACT PROPOSAL. ALTHOUGH IN THE LAWSUIT... PICKE TT ACCUSED THE TWO OF FALSELY SAYING HE WAS OFFERING THEM MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS VOTE TO APPROVE NATIONAL WASTE UNITED TO BE THE N EW SOLID WASTE PICKUP IN THE CITY. THE COUNCILMAN NOW SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT THE UTTR WILL COME OUT AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG. <(AARON BANKS // JACKSON CITY COUNCILMAN) E'"HS STILL ENGAGED IN AN ATTACK ON MY INTEGRITY AND CREDIBILITY. HE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE DID, AND I KNOW THE LEGAL SYSTEM WILL BARE OUT WHAT HE DID. I KNOW I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ILLEGA" L. AND BANKS WAS ALLEGEDLY OFFEREA D DECENT AMOUNT OF MONEY. BANKS SAYS HE WAS TO BY LD PICKET THAT IF HE SUPPORTED THE BID... HE WOULD RECIEVE 50 THOUSAND DOLLAR S. THIS WOULD HAVE BE PENAID BY THE HALF A MILLION DOLLAR PROFIT THE PASTOR WAS PREDICTING TO KE. THE COUNCILMAN CLAIMS HE REFUSED THE OFFER AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE CITY'S ATTORNEY OFFICE THE SAME DAY. BANKS SAYS HE BELIEVE THE RELATIONSHIP THE TWO HAVE THROUGH RELIGION IS WHAT CAUSED PICKETT TO PROPOSE A DEAL TO HIM. HE SAYS THE LAWSUIT WI
Jackson city councilman responds to lawsuit
Garbage contract dispute at center of defamation, slander accusations
![WAPT logo]()
Updated: 8:41 AM CDT Oct 22, 2021
A Jackson pastor is suing two Jackson city council members for defamation, slander and emotional distress.It stems from the city’s garbage contract dispute.Pastor Dwayne Pickett claims in the lawsuit that councilmembers Aaron Banks and Virgi Lindsay falsely said that Pickett was offering money under the table to Banks in exchange for his vote to approve National Waste United to take over solid waste pick up in Jackson. Pickett is “one of the members of National Waste United,” according to the lawsuit.Pickett also claims in his lawsuit that Banks was taking money from Waste Management. Banks responded, saying that Pickett’s claims are false and that he is surprised by the lawsuit."It is unfortunate that as leaders we find ourselves here, when there are so many other issues that we must bring relief for. The gun violence, crime and homicides, along with sewer overflows and water leaks that constituents face every day is the priority of my office. However, I look forward, and I am anxious for the truth to come out in court," Banks said in a statement. "Furthermore, I am a bit surprised that this lawsuit was filed, simply because it is substantively without merit, and a distraction from the actual business of government. But now that I have been named, I anticipate that you will see a vigorous defense, and to that end would refer further comment to my attorney."Lindsay has not responded to requests for comment from 16 WAPT News.
JACKSON, Miss. — A Jackson pastor is suing two Jackson city council members for defamation, slander and emotional distress.
It stems from the city’s garbage contract dispute.
Pastor Dwayne Pickett claims in the lawsuit that councilmembers Aaron Banks and Virgi Lindsay falsely said that Pickett was offering money under the table to Banks in exchange for his vote to approve National Waste United to take over solid waste pick up in Jackson. Pickett is “one of the members of National Waste United,” according to the lawsuit.
Pickett also claims in his lawsuit that Banks was taking money from Waste Management. Banks responded, saying that Pickett’s claims are false and that he is surprised by the lawsuit.
"It is unfortunate that as leaders we find ourselves here, when there are so many other issues that we must bring relief for. The gun violence, crime and homicides, along with sewer overflows and water leaks that constituents face every day is the priority of my office. However, I look forward, and I am anxious for the truth to come out in court," Banks said in a statement. "Furthermore, I am a bit surprised that this lawsuit was filed, simply because it is substantively without merit, and a distraction from the actual business of government. But now that I have been named, I anticipate that you will see a vigorous defense, and to that end would refer further comment to my attorney."
Lindsay has not responded to requests for comment from 16 WAPT News.
