Latest news with #DavidAdamczyk
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Like a James Bond novel': Explosive lawsuit against Hamtramck mayor, police chief
The Brief A new lawsuit has been filed by the suspended Hamtramck city manager and a police officer. The suit makes wild claims including corruption at the highest level by some city leaders. Named in the suit is the mayor, suspended police chief and city council. FOX 2 - A new lawsuit claims widespread corruption in Hamtramck, coming amid an FBI investigation and a Michigan State Police look into the residence of a couple council members. The backstory Max Garbarino was placed on leave last week after suspending Hamtramck's Police Chief. Now the city manager is firing back through a scathing whistle-blower lawsuit."This is like a James Bond novel. It's chock-full of the craziest things, all in one case," said attorney Jon Marko. The lawsuit, filed against Hamtramck's mayor, police chief and city council, alleges corruption at the highest levels. The action, field by Marko, is on behalf of Garbarino, who is currently suspended, and a police officer, David Adamczyk, who is also suspended. The suit focuses on Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri discussing an alleged history of domestic violence as well as allegations involving a presidential pardon of a rich New York investor reportedly convicted of a financial crime - and that's not all. "Allegations of trying to funnel millions of dollars to secure a presidential pardon for a benefactor," Marko said. "Allegations of stolen automobiles being hidden away. Allegations of creating fake identifications for police officers to make money. Allegations of trying to secure bribe funds and all kinds of money." The police chief has denied the allegations, but was suspended by City Manager Max Garbarino while an investigation was launched. Last week Hamtramck City Council put the city manager on leave. They say to ensure a fair investigation into the chief. Related: Hamtramck city manager plans to sue after suspension due to police chief controversy That is what prompted the city manager to file this suit. "I think enough was enough, too much was too much, and finally he has an obligation, and as a good citizen," Marko said. The lawsuit also names all members of Hamtramck City Council and touches on investigations into two of those officials allegedly not living in the city they serve. It references investigations into alleged election fraud as well. "If they are true, then I think they need to be prosecuted," said Mike Petrack, a resident and city business owner. "The city government is problematic. It's borderline corrupt. Four of six council members are under investigation for voter fraud. "Two probably don't even live here, and now we have this with the police chief." Karen Majewski is Hamtramck's former mayor. "You know, I think everybody is concerned - just like what happened," she said. "What is going on?" FOX 2: "Should there be a house cleaning or something? "We have an election coming up. So, we have three council seats up, and the mayor's seat up for re-election. We have a primary in August, and I think that we will probably see," she said. "I'm hoping personally, that we see quite an upheaval in the make-up of the city council." The other side Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib released a statement: "There is a comprehensive investigation that is being conducted and it will include allegations against the police chief, city manager and Officer Adamczyk. "The three of them are on paid administrative leave at this time, but whoever is found clear and innocent, he would be reinstated to his job. No one is immune to questioning and accountability. "I learned from our city manager that we always get sued, mostly for nonsense, so that doesn't mean anything at this point because we have to wait for the investigation outcomes, and based on that, we would know how valid is everyone's case and what are their chances of winning such lawsuits." Suspended Chief Altaheri also released a statement: "My message from day one has been very clear, I call on the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, state police and FBI to follow-up on these false accusations and all those behind these fabricated stories." The Source Information for this report is based off the lawsuit, an interview with Jon Marko and statements from the mayor and police chief. The Source This story is based on the lawsuit as well as interviews with attorney Jon Marko, community members and statements from the police chief and mayor of Hamtramck.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Hamtramck city manager and officer sue mayor, city leaders over alleged corruption
The Hamtramck city manager and police officer are suing Mayor Amer Ghalib, Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri and city council members for alleged corruption and violation of the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act and Open Meetings Act. The lawsuit, filed by Marko Law, names council members Abu Musa, Khalil Refai, Mohammed Hassan, Muhith Mahmood, Mohammed Alsomiri, and Muhtasin Sadman. It alleges that City Manager Max Garbarino and Police Officer David Adamczyk reported misconduct, such as a presidential pardon in exchange for money, suppressing election fraud investigations and improper use of police resources. "Max Garbarino has honorably served Hamtramck for over twenty years. Instead of rewarding his integrity, the City Council betrayed him and officer David Adamczyk, punishing them for standing up against corruption and misconduct at the highest levels," said Attorney Reno Arabo in a statement. "This lawsuit will hold Hamtramck accountable and send a clear message: public servants who protect their community from wrongdoing deserve support, not retaliation," said Attorney Jonathan Marko. "I hope there is a Max and David in every city. We need people who are brave enough to stand up, expose corruption, and protect their community, even when powerful forces try to silence them." CBS News Detroit contacted Ghalib, Altaheri and the city council members for comment and is waiting for a response. According to the lawsuit, Adamcyzk reported the misconduct to Garbarino, who placed Altaheri on administrative leave in May 2025. A week later, Garbarino was placed on leave pending the investigation. Adamczyk was placed on leave "to protect him from further retaliation from defendants, and to safeguard the integrity of the investigation," according to the lawsuit. Lawsuit: Police chief allegedly pushed for presidential pardon of acquaintance The lawsuit also alleges that Adamczyk sent a memo to Michigan State Police in May 2025, alleging that Altaheri was grooming fellow officers "to shield or obscure his actions and protect sensitive information." According to the lawsuit, Adamczyk claims there were reports of domestic violence at Altaheri's home; however, the police chief advised officers not to report the disputes. Adamcyzk also claims that Altaheri was working with an individual who was described as a "close associate of President Donald Trump" to secure a presidential pardon for an acquaintance in New York who was charged with financial crimes. The lawsuit claims Adamcyzk accompanied Altaheri to the meeting with the associate, and there was a proposal to provide $1 million to $5 million in exchange for the pardon. The lawsuit did not name the New York acquaintance or whether they were pardoned. The lawsuit claims Altaheri requested a fake Hamtramck police ID card for the associate as a "chief director." CBS News Detroit contacted the White House for comment and is waiting for a response. Council members engaged in election fraud, lawsuit claims The lawsuit claims that the city council forced Garbarino to hire Altaheri and refused to approve any other candidate without a reason. Altaheri was named police chief after serving with the New York Police Department. According to the lawsuit, the council allegedly pressured Garbarino to fire the city assessor after he displayed a Pride flag in his office and to fire the human resources director, with one of the council members allegedly saying there were "too many Black people" working for the city. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that the city clerk spotted irregularities in absentee ballots and was advised by Garabino to report the findings to Hamtramck police. The lawsuit claims that during the investigation by the Michigan Attorney General's office, council members harassed Garbarino, trying to force him to fire the clerk. The lawsuit claims that Altaheri allegedly pushed for council members to fire Garbarino for reporting the election fraud. Two of the council members, Musa and Mahmood, were under a microscope this year after it was reported that they did not live within city limits. The lawsuit alleges that an investigation found that the two members did not live within city limits. In an April 25 council meeting, Mahmood and Musa argued that they do have second homes in other communities, but they live in Hamtramck. That night, the city council voted against removing either member, saying there wasn't enough evidence to take action.
