In a recent development that marks a disappointing turn for Inkster's municipal leadership, former Mayor Patrick Wimberly has entered a guilty plea in a federal bribery case. The announcement came from United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, confirming that Wimberly accepted cash bribes totaling $100,000 to facilitate the sale of city-owned property, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Michigan.
Having served as mayor from 2019 until 2023, the 50-year-old Wimberly's term was marred by the accusations of corruption, which surfaced after an FBI investigation found that he was involved in the scheme since the spring of 2022. According to a press release issued yesterday, detailed by the Free Press, the property sale's prospective buyer, referred to as "Person A", began paying Wimberly monthly bribes starting at $5,000.
United States Attorney Ison condemned the former mayor's actions, stating, "Public officials who act in their own best interests, motivated by greed, betray the trust of their communities and the general public.” She assured the public of her office's commitment to aggressively prosecuting corrupt public officials, as reported by the Justice Department.
The FBI has emphasized the importance of integrity within public offices, with Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson asserting, "The former City of Inkster mayor, Patrick Wimberly’s guilty plea is a step forward in reminding public officials that they will be held accountable for their actions and should always operate with the highest level of integrity. Members of the FBI’s Detroit Area Corruption Task Force will continue to investigate any allegations of criminal misconduct from our public officials, in an effort to maintain the public’s trust,” a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, in which Wimberly faced the prospect of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his actions.
Wimberly’s sentencing is scheduled for June 10 before District Judge Linda V. Parker, following his plea hearing that took place yesterday in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown, who is prosecuting the case, as mentioned in the press release.
