Inkster Mayor Charged With Bribery

DETROIT – A federal indictment was issued charging the mayor of the City of Inkster with bribery, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Patrick Wimberly, 49, of Inkster, is the elected mayor of the City of Inkster, Michigan. According to the indictment, Wimberly demanded cash payments to facilitate the sale of property owned by the city (referred to as “Parcel 1”) to an outside party (referred to as “Person A”). Over several months, Person A provided Wimberly with monthly cash bribes to secure the purchase of this property. The monthly payments started at $5,000 but the parties agreed to eventually increase that amount. After the initial bribes, Wimberly explained that he was ready to increase the payments. Person A agreed. But when Person A later didn’t provide the amount Wimberly expected, Wimberly complained that he was due “10$ a month.” Person A then increased the monthly payments to $10,000. In total, Person A provided $50,000 in cash to Wimberly to assure a winning bid of Parcel 1.

Wimberly was charged with bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666. This bribery charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. 

“Elected public officials owe a duty to their community to act in the citizens’ best interest,” United States Attorney Ison said.  “Our office is committed to prosecuting those public officials who betray the public trust by accepting bribes.”

"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. "The FBI considers public corruption its primary criminal investigative concern and will continue investigating allegations to maintain public trust in elected officials."

The investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI's Detroit Area Corruption Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Cares and Eaton P. Brown.

An indictment is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt.