Comptroller says St. Louis programs at center of First Alert 4 Investigations ‘show signs of fraud and abuse’
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The FBI may now be involved in allegations of corruption at St. Louis City Hall.
Mayor Tishaura Jones is asking federal authorities and the Missouri Auditor to investigate.
Over the past week, First Alert 4 Investigates has reported on a city building inspector accused of personally profiting from pandemic programs.
Until now, city officials said they were conducting an internal investigation and that police were not involved.
However, a new letter from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones indicates allegations against a second city building inspector and requests an FBI investigation into one of her own departments.
“Here we go again. I hate to say that, but, you know, there are things that happen in the city that need investigation, and here we go again,” said John Davis, a former federal prosecutor in St. Louis.
Davis said First Alert 4 Investigates’ findings should warrant a federal investigation. We have reported a number of stories over the last week.
“I thought it was unfortunate—an expenditure of public funds that looks like it was enriching someone improperly, potentially illegally—and that’s a shame,” Davis said.
Last week, First Alert 4 Investigates uncovered three companies tied to St. Louis City building inspector Adebanjo Popoola.
An ing sheet obtained from the city comptroller’s office shows that during this year alone, Farst Construction, Maxify Contractors, and Premier Finish Contractors were paid millions in public funds to renovate both private and public-owned buildings through programs aimed at stabilizing vacant properties.
However, some city property owners have raised serious concerns about the quality of the work and the fairness of the program.
Additionally, First Alert 4 Investigates has discovered that the financial connections may extend back for years, suggesting the amounts involved could be much higher.
On Tuesday, Comptroller Darlene Green told us she had suspended $387,000 in payments owed to one of the companies tied to Popoola. In her own letter to St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, Green wrote, “The projects, funded by both federal and local tax dollars, show signs of fraud and abuse.”
“Without specific knowledge of this issue, obviously, what do you think federal investigators might be doing right now?” asked Chief Investigative Reporter Lauren Trager.
“Probably a record search—bank records, phone records, tax records, things like that,” Davis responded.
Could others, beyond the city building inspector, be held responsible? Davis believes so.
“Absolutely. Especially in a federal system, because they have that magic statute called conspiracy,” he said.
Popoola, who oversaw the programs and inspected the projects, resigned Friday. He has not responded to requests for comment. City officials have also declined interview requests.
In her letter to the FBI, Mayor Jones wrote, “My office and istration will open any doors needed for your investigation to ensure that any wrongdoing is uncovered and violators are held able.”
Davis emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation.
“If there’s an investigation and a prosecution, the jury will decide,” he said.
As many questions remain, the investigation appears to be expanding. Late Tuesday afternoon, city officials said they received allegations involving a second city building inspector.
They have not disclosed the individual’s identity or whether the allegations are connected to Popoola. However, the mayor’s office confirmed that the individual has been placed on forced leave.
First Alert 4 Investigates continues to dig through public records and press officials for answers.
A copy of letters sent by Mayor Jones are below:
12.16.24 Building Division Letter - FBI by Dan Greenwald on Scribd
12.16.2024 State Audit Request by Dan Greenwald on Scribd
If you have information, email Lauren Trager at [email protected].
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