Businessman promised investors to build a $3B sports complex near DTW. Feds say it was a scam

A Michigan businessman is accused of scamming investors over a proposed $3 billion sports and entertainment complex near Detroit Metro Airport, according to federal authorities. Wayne County U.S. prosecutors say Kenneth Bardwell, 66, of West Bloomfield, led Motown Sports Group Holding, Inc. and related companies and was charged with one count of wire fraud. In 2018, Bardwell allegedly solicited and received millions of dollars from investors, promising the funds would be used to buy land and build the project in Romulus and that escrow would refund money if purchases failed. Prosecutors allege he made little effort to acquire land, instead spending most investor funds on gentlemen’s clubs, luxury retail goods, rental cars, and personal lifestyle expenses for himself and associates. The FBI is seeking anyone who invested with Bardwell or his entities.