The small city of Hamtramck, nestled within Detroit’s borders, is embroiled in a complex web of allegations and legal battles. The city’s manager, Max Garbarino, was suspended after he placed Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri on administrative leave due to serious accusations of misconduct. This decision sparked a retaliatory response from Hamtramck’s mayor and city council, leading to a heated confrontation.
During a tense city council meeting on May 27, Garbarino justified his actions by citing multiple criminal allegations against Altaheri, including reports from within the police department. “When a police officer in any state, any county, any city across the whole nation is suspected of this, they are put on administrative leave,” Garbarino explained. However, his reasoning did not sway Mayor Amer Ghalib or the council members, who questioned why Altaheri wasn’t given the same opportunity to defend himself.
The meeting’s hostility culminated in Garbarino’s suspension, mirroring his action against Altaheri. Following this, Garbarino, alongside Hamtramck police officer David Adamczyk, initiated a whistleblower lawsuit against the city, alleging widespread corruption. Attorney Jonathan Marko, representing Garbarino and Adamczyk, described the lawsuit’s contents as reminiscent of “a season of The Sopranos,” highlighting diverse corruption accusations against city officials.
Among the allegations are claims against Chief Altaheri, including domestic violence cover-ups, illegal acceptance of funds, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Additionally, Altaheri allegedly collaborated with a known associate of former President Trump to secure a presidential pardon for a wealthy New Yorker involved in financial crimes.
Further complicating matters are accusations of election fraud and residency violations among Hamtramck’s council members, with federal and state agencies reportedly investigating. The FBI confirmed agent presence at Hamtramck City Hall earlier this year, though details remain undisclosed.
Garbarino expressed frustration over the ongoing issues, stating, “These past few years have been horrible. Dealing with this corrupt council, always doing what I could to hold the line and protect the city. Frankly, they have put my staff and I through hell.” Racial discrimination claims also surfaced, with allegations of pressure to hire Altaheri due to shared Yemeni heritage with some council members.
Despite the turmoil, the community’s response is divided. Some residents, like Jamiel Jackson, recall Altaheri’s positive influence in the community and hope for his return post-investigation. Former Mayor Karen Majewski highlighted the longstanding nature of these issues, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of current investigations.
Hamtramck, historically a Polish-Catholic enclave, has transformed into a majority-Muslim city, reflecting its diverse immigrant population. While the political landscape has shifted, residents like Majewski emphasize the city’s enduring spirit of coexistence, “That’s still the kind of glue that holds our city together.”
The unfolding events in Hamtramck present a microcosm of broader challenges faced by changing communities, where cultural diversity and political power shifts can lead to both opportunities and conflicts.
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