Former mayor of Inkster, Michigan, Patrick Wimberly, who was defeated in the 2023 elections following charges of bribery, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to accepting $50,000 in a corrupt land deal. Wimberly admitted to receiving regular payments from an individual interested in purchasing a parcel of land owned by the city of Inkster. Investigators revealed that during one incident, he accepted a $10,000 payment in cash that was placed in the center console of his car.
The prosecution stated that Wimberly aimed to accumulate a total of $100,000 through this illegal scheme. Fortunately, the FBI interceded before the property changed hands, preventing further illicit transactions. U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison condemned Wimberly’s actions, emphasizing that public officials who prioritize personal gain over their communities’ well-being erode public trust.
Facing indictment by a grand jury, Wimberly was ousted from office last year, with the city of Inkster, located near Detroit and home to 25,000 residents, left to grapple with the aftermath of the scandal. After the charges were brought against him, Wimberly acknowledged his wrongdoing in a video statement released in October, conceding that he had engaged in inappropriate conduct. Expressing remorse, Wimberly pledged to navigate the legal process with fortitude.
