INKSTER, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly has been indicted on federal bribery charges, after prosecutors allege Wimberly accepted a total of $50,000 from an unnamed developer.

According to the indictment, Wimberly allegedly accepted payment from someone identified only as “Person A” to facilitate the sale of city-owned property. Person A provided cash bribes to Wimberly to ensure they would make the winning bid on the property, starting at $5,000 monthly. Later, after a series of secret meetings, Wimberly demanded more, and payments increased to $10,000.

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“Mr. Wimberly was elected to serve the people of Inkster, yet he prioritized his personal interests and greed over their needs,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, in a press release. “The FBI considers public corruption its primary criminal investigative concern and will continue investigating allegations to maintain public trust in elected officials.”

In 2021, Inkster’s parks and recreation director, Alex Legion, resigned after allegations that he took a $1500 payment from Biden’s campaign. Wimberly was part of the investigation team that determined Legion had to pay the money back, according to records from the Detroit Metro Times. Wimberly said officials first became suspicious when they discovered Legion had been leasing city property to friends and using the proceeds to renovate his office.

Wimberly has now been charged with bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, which could mean up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 if he is convicted.