Nigerian-Born St. Louis Inspector Pleads Guilty to Stealing $1.64M in Rehab Funds
A Nigerian-born engineer admitted diverting over $1.6 million meant for repairing decrepit buildings in St. Louis to his own companies and family members. Adebanjo Banjo Popoola, 57, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in U.S. District Court. He managed two city programs funded by federal relief and municipal bonds. Popoola had his sister form Farst Construction LLC and his fiancée set up Premier Finish Contractors. From mid-2023 to early 2024, he steered more than $3 million in contracts to those firms. Much of the work was never done, yet he certified completion so funds could be released. He and his relatives spent the money on mortgage payments, vehicles, a Hawaii wedding, gambling and travel. Popoola also concealed his ties on official forms. He faces up to 20 years in prison and must repay the stolen funds when he is sentenced in October.
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