business
A businessman promised investors to build a $3B sports complex near DTW. Feds say it was a scam
By Samantha Sayles at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
A West Bloomfield man is facing a federal charge for his alleged role in a scheme to get millions of dollars in investment funds for a proposed sports complex in Romulus.Kenneth Bardwell, 66, was charged with one count of wire fraud. He is the operator of Motown Sports Group Holding, Inc. and sev...
Key takeaway Kenneth Bardwell, 66, was charged with one count of wire fraud.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The alleged scheme to defraud investors of millions of dollars for a proposed sports complex in Romulus has significant implications for the local economy. With the project touted as a $3 billion investment, it had the potential to bring substantial revenue and job opportunities to the area. Instead, the federal charges against Kenneth Bardwell suggest that the project was nothing more than a ruse to line his own pockets. The fact that Bardwell allegedly spent investor funds on luxury goods and gentlemen's clubs raises questions about the lack of oversight and due diligence on the part of investors. As the FBI continues to investigate and seeks out potential victims, it remains to be seen how many local investors were affected by the alleged scam. The fallout from this case could also impact the ability of legitimate developers to secure funding for future projects in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: business ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A West Bloomfield man is facing a federal charge for his alleged role in a scheme to get millions of dollars in investment funds for a proposed sports complex in Romulus.Kenneth Bardwell, 66, was charged with one count of wire fraud. He is the operator of Motown Sports Group Holding, Inc. and sev...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samantha Sayles at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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