$50,000 Accepted in Payoffs for City-Owned Property
Patrick Wimberly, the former mayor of Inkster, a Detroit-area community, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of bribery in connection with a corrupt land deal. Wimberly, who lost reelection in 2023 shortly after being indicted, admitted to receiving $50,000 in exchange for facilitating the sale of city-owned property.
According to investigators, Wimberly had regularly received cash payments from an individual who sought to purchase the land. On one occasion, he reportedly accepted $10,000 after opening the center console of his car for the drop-off. Federal authorities intervened before the land transfer could be completed.
Federal Charges and Admission of Guilt
Wimberly had originally aimed to collect a total of $100,000 from the corrupt deal, federal investigators revealed. His actions caught the attention of the FBI, which halted the scheme before it could fully unfold.
“Public officials who act in their own best interests, motivated by greed, betray the trust of their communities and the general public,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison, who underscored the seriousness of Wimberly’s abuse of power.
Wimberly Loses Reelection After Indictment
Wimberly, the former mayor of Inkster, a city of 25,000 people near Detroit, lost his bid for reelection in 2023, just a month after a grand jury handed down his indictment. Despite the looming legal trouble, he had continued to campaign, acknowledging his predicament.
In an emotional video statement released in October 2023, Wimberly confessed, “Did I put myself in a situation that I should’ve never been involved with? Yes, I did. I take full responsibility for that.” He added, “I’m going to have to go through the process, but know that I’m standing here and I’m standing strong.”
Betrayal of Public Trust and the Path Ahead
The guilty plea marks a significant fall from grace for Wimberly, whose tenure as mayor has now been overshadowed by the bribery scandal. As federal authorities move forward with the case, Wimberly faces possible sentencing that could result in jail time and further financial penalties.
This case has drawn attention to the pervasive issue of corruption in local government and the need for accountability in public office. As the U.S. Attorney’s office continues to crack down on cases like Wimberly’s, it serves as a stern reminder to public officials about the consequences of abusing the power entrusted to them by their communities.
