Ex-St. Louis Inspector, Adebanjo Popoola Pleads Guilty to Stealing $1.64 Million in City Rehab Funds

Former City of St. Louis building inspector Adebanjo Popoola has pleaded guilty to diverting about $1.64 million in public funds meant for building rehabilitation to himself and relatives. 

Popoola, 57, entered the plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court to three counts of wire fraud, prosecutors said. 

Court documents show Popoola oversaw the Stable Communities STL and Prop NS programs while working as a building division inspector. Stable Communities STL was funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Prop NS used city general obligation bonds for properties owned by the Land Reutilization Authority, LRA. 

In those roles, he identified properties for repair, set project scopes, reviewed bids, inspected work and certified payments to contractors. 

Prosecutors said Popoola set up companies to receive the money. His sister, a Texas resident, registered Farst Construction LLC in Missouri in October 2022. His future wife formed Premier Finish Contractors LLC in February 2021. 

From June 2023 to November 2024, Farst received about $1.4 million from Stable Communities STL and $339,500 from Prop NS. From October 2023 to May 2024, Premier received about $1.3 million from Stable Communities STL and $853,100 from Prop NS, according to court records. 

Together, the two firms received $3.32 million of the $7.19 million paid under Stable Communities STL, or 42%, prosecutors said. 

Investigators said several projects were not completed or did not meet requirements, though Popoola certified the work. After paying subcontractors, Popoola, his wife and his sister split about $1.64 million, which was deposited into joint accounts, prosecutors said. 

Popoola admitted using the money for mortgage payments, vehicles, travel, a September 2023 Hawaii wedding, gambling, dining and other expenses, court documents state. 

He also admitted falsely reporting on City Employee Secondary Employment Questionnaires in 2022 and 2023 that he had no interest in city contracts. His wife and sister made similar false certifications on contract documents. 

Sentencing is set for Oct. 6. Each wire fraud count carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He must also repay the funds. 

The FBI investigated the case with help from the City Comptroller’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is prosecuting.