Man Scams Investors Over Promised $3B Metro Detroit Sports Complex: Feds

ROMULUS, MI — A metro Detroit businessman is facing charges after scamming investors of funds that he said would go toward a multi-sports complex in Romulus, according to a criminal complaint.

Kenneth Bardwell, 66, of West Bloomfield, was charged with one count of wire fraud.

Bardwell was the operator of Motown Sports Group Holding, Inc. and several other business entities, according to federal officials.

He received millions from investors for a $3 billion sports and entertainment complex that was supposed to be built in Romulus near the Detroit Metro Airport, according to federal officials.

Construction on the massive project was rumored to start in 2027 with an opening date for sometime in 2029.

Bardwell told investors he was going to use the money to buy the land and develop the project, which would include a 10,000-seat arena, hockey rinks, an indoor football field, hotels and other attractions, according to federal officials.

Officials said Bardwell approached Romulus city officials with a request for $152 million in public bonds, but city officials rejected that proposal. City officials said whenever they requested detailed plans for the project, Bardwell did not provide them.

Moreover, officials said they received numerous calls asking about the legitimacy of the project.

"The city officials unanimously began to feel this project was a scam and there were no actual plans made to build the facility as represented to the City of Romulus by Bardwell," officials said in the complaint.

Officials said Bardwell told investors that if he couldn't buy the land, he would return it to investors from an escrow account.

Instead, federal officials said Bardwell spent most of the money on strip clubs, luxury retail goods, rental car and lifestyle expenses for himself and his associates.

It was unclear exactly how much money officials said Bardwell stole, but they believe all the money is gone. They said the scheme dates back to October 2018.

"Bardwell's banking activity in current and closed accounts showed that his intent was to support a lavish lifestyle for himself and his associates by continuing to make promises to investors, in order to get them to continue to give him more funds," officials said.