Hamtramck Desi Councilmembers Charged with Election Fraud

Two Desi sitting members of the Hamtramck City Council have been formally charged with multiple felonies related to election fraud and forgery, following an investigation by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Attorney General's office, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.

Councilmembers Mohammed Hassan and Mohammed Shahab were arraigned this week on charges that include conspiracy to commit election law violations, election law forgery, and multiple counts of false pretenses. The charges allege that the two men orchestrated a scheme to illegally obtain absentee voter applications for the November 2024 election.

According to prosecutors, the alleged conspiracy involved forging signatures and falsifying information on numerous absentee ballot applications. The investigation was initiated after officials noted irregularities and received complaints regarding the handling of absentee voting in the community. The Attorney General's office stated that the investigation revealed evidence of a coordinated effort to manipulate the election process.

In a statement, Attorney General Dana Nessel underscored the seriousness of the charges, emphasizing that the integrity of the electoral process is paramount. "These charges send a clear message that my office will not tolerate attempts to undermine our democratic elections, regardless of who is responsible," Nessel said.

Both Hassan and Shahab have denied the allegations. A representative for the men stated that they are prepared to defend themselves against the charges in court and maintain their innocence. The court has scheduled preliminary examinations to review the evidence presented by the prosecution.

The charges have sent shockwaves through Hamtramck, a city known for its diverse and politically active population. With the accused councilmembers' terms still ongoing, the case has become a central point of discussion and has cast a shadow over local politics. The legal process is expected to be lengthy, with significant public attention focused on the outcome as it proceeds through the courts.