Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield Arrested, Faces Federal Bribery Charge

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Daniel McMullen of the FBI in Mississippi confirmed that Paul Winfield, mayor of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was arrested at his residence on February 20, 2013, by FBI special agents pursuant to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

Winfield, who is charged with bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, is alleged to have solicited and accepted bribes from an FBI cooperating informant representing a company interested in obtaining pre-event disaster contracts for the city of Vicksburg. If found guilty of this charge, Winfield could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

Winfield will make his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Keith Ball on February 21, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.

SAC McMullen stressed that complaints and arrests are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.