INKSTER (WWJ) -- The mayor of Wayne County's Inkster has been charged with bribery in a federal indictment.
U.S .Attorney Dawn Ison announced Tuesday that City of Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly is accused of demanding cash payments to facilitate the sale of property owned by the city.
Ison, along with the FBI, accuse Wimberly of accepting cash bribes starting at $5,000 per month. It's alleged that the monthly amount was increased $10,000 — after Wimberly complained he needed more — eventually totaling $50,000 in cash bribes to assure a winning bid on a parcel of city-owned property.
Wimberly is charged with bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
“Elected public officials owe a duty to their community to act in the citizens’ best interest,” said Ison, in a statement. “Our office is committed to prosecuting those public officials who betray the public trust by accepting bribes.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI's Detroit Area Corruption Task Force.
"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."
Wimberly is a first term mayor, and is up for re-election. He faces former mayor Byron Nolen, in the November 8 general election.
Wimberly is added to a list of Wayne County mayors who have been formally accused of corruption. Former Taylor mayor Rick Sollars faces time for bribery, and Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff pleaded guilty to wire fraud.