Federal prosecutors have charged a Detroit-area mayor with bribery, alleging that he demanded and was provided $50,000 in cash payments to “facilitate the sale of property owned by the city to an outside party.”
Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly, 49, now risks facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after being indicted Tuesday on a charge of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“Mr. Wimberly was elected to serve the people of Inkster, yet he prioritized his personal interests and greed over their needs,” Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan, said in a statement. “The FBI considers public corruption its primary criminal investigative concern and will continue investigating allegations to maintain public trust in elected officials.”