Two members of the all-Muslim Hamtramck City Council were charged with multiple felonies tied to voter fraud in the 2023 primary election, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The Charges
Councilmember Mohammed Hassan, 57, faces three felony counts:
Councilmember Muhtasin Sadman, 26, is charged with five felonies:
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Forging a signature on an absentee ballot application
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Election law forgery
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Two counts of unqualified elector attempting to vote
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False statement on an absentee ballot application
Several of the charges carry penalties of up to five years in prison.
Nessel Steps Aside
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has recused herself from the case, handing it over to the Monroe County Prosecutor. Nessel said she stepped aside to avoid accusations of bias against Muslims.
Her decision raised eyebrows, as Nessel has been openly weighing higher political ambitions — telling a local reporter in July that she isn’t ruling out a run for governor or U.S. Senate in 2026.
Political Motives Questioned
Critics argue the recusal could have less to do with impartiality and more to do with political maneuvering. Nessel has developed a reputation for selectively pursuing cases, aggressively targeting Republicans — including 16 alternate Trump electors in Michigan — while backing away from Democrats and left-aligned organizations.
Her handling of prior cases, such as the failed prosecution of Southfield City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins on six election fraud felonies that were ultimately dropped, has fueled accusations of bias.
Ties to Trump Endorsement
The controversy deepens as both charged councilmen, along with Mayor Amer Ghalib, appeared in a 2024 meeting with President Trump. Ghalib, the city’s first Muslim mayor, broke ranks with Democrats to endorse Trump, helping deliver Michigan in the 2024 election.
Some suspect Nessel’s hands-off approach in this case could be an attempt to distance herself from prosecuting Muslim Democrats who had openly backed Trump.
Ballot Harvesting Allegations
The charges come after Project Veritas released undercover footage last year appearing to show Councilman Hassan discussing ballot harvesting operations in Hamtramck.
The Phone Calls. #VotesForSale
Dozens of sources in Hamtramck, MI told Project Veritas that Muslim politicians are using illegal ballot harvesting operations to secure permanent power.
We contacted Hamtramck City Councilmen Mohammed Hassan and Abu Musa with an opportunity to… pic.twitter.com/XCbDBgPD3l
— Project Veritas (@Project_Veritas) August 5, 2024
Separately, video surfaced allegedly showing Councilman Abu Musa, another member of the council, stuffing a ballot drop box with “stacks of mail ballots.” Musa recently won re-election by just 76 votes.
BREAKING: Hamtramck Councilman Abu Musa is on tape stuffing a drop box with STACKS of mail ballots
Abu won last week by 76 votes pic.twitter.com/aVOG5s9tcn
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 15, 2025
