Four out of six members of the Hamtramck City Council, along with a former councilman, are currently being investigated for allegedly trying to illegally access absentee ballots. This investigation was initiated by a petition from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is also a member of the Democratic Party.
The investigation has expanded beyond the two city council members initially mentioned, now including council members Mohammed Hassan, Muhtasin Sadman, Mohammed Alsomiri, and Abu Musa, as well as former councilman Nayeem Choudhury, who lost his reelection bid in 2023, and Tyrone Slappey. It remains unclear what role, if any, Slappey has in relation to the Hamtramck city government.
According to the petition filed on March 10, the six individuals are accused of conspiring to obtain unvoted absentee ballots signed by newly naturalized citizens and then filling in their preferred candidates. The petition also claims that they may have paid for votes and had individuals falsely claim addresses where they did not reside to gain an advantage in local elections.
When contacted for comments, Hassan stated he was in a meeting and would have his attorney respond, but he did not provide the attorney’s name. Musa said he was at work and could not talk. Sadman dismissed the allegations as “false” and claimed he has strong community support. Choudhury, who is unaware of the investigation against him, denied any wrongdoing in the 2023 election and expressed his intention to run for council again. Slappey could not be reached for comment.
In the November 2023 election, three incumbents were up against three challengers for three council seats. Hassan received the highest percentage of votes at 22.1%, followed by Alsomiri. Sadman, a newcomer, secured the last seat with 16.9%, narrowly beating fourth-place candidate Lynn Blasey. Choudhury, an incumbent, finished fifth and lost his seat.
The investigation has drawn attention partly because of the political affiliations of those involved. The Hamtramck City Council, which is predominantly Muslim, has been known for its support of the Democratic Party, and the council members have previously taken stances on various social issues, including a pro-Palestinian resolution.
The request for a special prosecutor was made by Nessel’s office due to concerns about potential bias, especially given her previous criticisms of the council’s policies and actions. The council’s unanimous support for a pro-Palestinian resolution in May 2024 has also raised eyebrows, particularly in light of Nessel’s identity as a gay Jewish woman.
Critics have suggested that the investigation may be influenced by bias against Muslims and people of Arab descent, a concern noted in the petition. As the investigation progressed and more suspects were identified, the potential for conflict of interest became apparent, prompting the request for a special prosecutor.
Initially, the case was referred to the FBI, but the U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit declined to take it on. Nessel’s office continued its investigation and formally requested a special prosecutor on March 10, 2024.
Before this request, the attorney general’s special agents had already compiled evidence suggesting serious allegations, including conspiracy and absentee ballot tampering. Court records indicate that warrants were sought for Hassan and Sadman based on incidents from 2023, but no criminal charges have been filed yet.
As the April 22 filing deadline for mayor and city council seats approaches, the political landscape in Hamtramck is shifting. Mayor Amer Ghalib has been nominated by President Trump for a U.S. ambassador position, which could leave a temporary vacancy in the mayor’s office.
While Hamtramck’s council positions are officially nonpartisan, the members have shown clear support for Democratic candidates, particularly in the context of the 2024 presidential election. Both Hassan and Alsomiri backed Kamala Harris, while Musa and Sadman were seen with Ghalib and others at Trump’s inauguration.
The situation remains fluid, with the community watching closely as the investigation unfolds and the upcoming election looms.
