By Ayodele Oni
A United States based (U.S) Nigerian engineer, Adebanjo Popoola, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud.
He admitted diverting about $1.64 million in public funds meant for rehabilitating dilapidated buildings to himself, his wife and his sister.
Popoola, former City of St. Louis building inspector, according to U.S. prosecutors, used companies registered in the names of his wife and sister to secure city-funded rehabilitation contracts.
Investigators revealed that several projects were either not completed or were not carried out as required, despite Popoola certifying that the work had been properly executed.
Authorities stated that the diverted funds were deposited into bank accounts shared with his wife and sister and spent on mortgage payments, vehicle purchases and repairs, travel, his September 2023 Hawaii wedding, casino gambling, dining and other personal expenses.
Prosecutors also accused Popoola of concealing his relationship with the companies by falsely declaring that he had no personal interest in businesses receiving city contracts, while contract documents also falsely stated that no city official had any private interest in the projects.
Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, fines, and he will also be required to repay the stolen funds.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the City of St. Louis Comptroller’s Office.
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