Overview
- Federal prosecutors charged Kenneth Wayne Bardwell with one count of wire fraud after his arrest and release on bond on July 16–17, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 6.
- The FBI affidavit says Motown Sports accounts received about $4 million in investor funds that were quickly withdrawn and used for high‑end retail, jewelry, rental cars, cash withdrawals, and more than $120,000 in strip‑club charges.
- Investigators say the promoter made little effort to buy land or start construction and did not place investor money in escrow as promised, a pattern the affidavit cites as evidence of an alleged scheme.
- The filing flags likely fabricated online interest on a crowdfunding site, noting 373 of 449 reservation entries came from just 10 IP addresses largely traced to the Philippines and Tokelau.
- Romulus officials say they initially entertained the project, rejected a 2024 public financing plan, then referred concerns to law enforcement as the federal probe continues and authorities ask anyone who invested to contact the FBI.