Metro Detroit Mayor Charged In $50K Bribery Scheme: Feds

INKSTER, MI — The mayor of the City of Inkster is in trouble after federal officials said he accepted bribes.

Patrick Wimberly, 49, was charged with bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Federal officials said an outside person was making cash payments to Wimberly to secure the purchase of a property owned by the City of Inkster.

The outside person started paying Wimberly $5,000 a month before both decided to increase the amount, officials said.

Although the outside person agreed to increase the payments, the individual failed to make the expected payments, officials said.

Wimberly complained and increased the monthly payments to $10,000, officials said.

Overall, federal officials said the outside person gave Wimberly $50,000 in cash to assure a winning bid on property owned by the city.

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