Breaking news … City Clerk demands AG act on election investigation

Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj sent a letter to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel about a lingering election matter that has a number of residents wondering about.
Namely, what happened to the investigation into the alleged illegal handling of election ballots in the 2023 city council election?
Faraj is questioning why the investigation hasn’t moved forward.

According to the online case search posted by the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court, the following charges were filed by the state Attorney General’s office against the following people:
City Councilmember Mohammed Hassan: Impersonating another (person) to vote at an election, and absentee ballot tampering.
Councilmember Muhtasin Sadman: Impersonating another (person) to vote at an election, and two charges of inducing an unqualified voter to apply for an absentee ballot.
Shaker Sakead: Impersonating another (person) to vote at an election, absentee ballot tampering, and inducing an unqualified voter to apply for an absentee ballot.

Although the charges are listed on the court website, no action has been taken on the matter, and it is in some kind of legal limbo that has not been explained by the Attorney General’s Office.
The attorney who filed the warrant request, Alexandra Peterson, did not return a call from The Review for comment.

Here’s the letter Faraj sent to Nessel’s office:

I’m writing to formally express my frustration and deep concern about the ongoing election integrity issues here in Hamtramck, specifically involving a current City Council member who has repeatedly been accused of election fraud.
Despite numerous reports and evidence, and forwarding this issue to the county, state, and even law enforcement, including Michigan State Police and the Attorney General’s Office, nothing significant has been done to hold this person accountable.

I have now received reports that the investigator assigned to this matter by the Attorney General’s Office has been removed from the investigation, not because he has failed to uncover evidence of criminal activity, but precisely because he has.
The members of this office and other city employees that gave interviews and cooperation are left to wonder whether it was all a waste of our small city’s very scarce resources to offer such cooperation.

As you know, Michigan voters supported the 2022 ballot proposal designed to enhance election security, including the use of cameras at absentee ballot drop boxes.
Those cameras have done exactly what they were intended to do: they’ve captured clear evidence of suspicious activities, like multiple instances of large batches of absentee ballots being dropped into boxes at once, strongly suggesting a single individual rather than multiple legitimate voters.

These incidents were properly documented and turned over to the authorities. Yet, this council member continues to act as though he’s above the law, openly bragging that no one can touch him.
Another city election is approaching this year for three City Council seats and the mayor’s position, and rumors have already surfaced that this council member is bringing onboard direct family members to run for these positions.
I have repeatedly sought help from the state during previous suspicions of his fraudulent activities, but no meaningful action was ever taken. Now, despite having collected extensive evidence, we continue to face silence and inaction.
This individual has a long, documented history of obstructing the election process, intimidating election workers, and openly ignoring procedures for his own benefit.

Throughout the 2023 City Council election, he consistently undermined my office’s efforts to carry out a fair election. He has even personally threatened me before every election, claiming he’ll continue winning elections and escaping any consequences regardless of the evidence against him.
The blatant double standard here is infuriating. If I, as City Clerk, deviated even slightly from election procedures, I’d immediately face investigation and prosecution. Yet, someone who brazenly breaks the law sees no repercussions. If election integrity matters at all, enforcement needs to be consistent and fair.

Our voters in Hamtramck deserve elections that are fair, transparent, and free from manipulation and intimidation. Continued inaction by authorities responsible for enforcing these laws sends a dangerous message that election fraud is acceptable here and that certain individuals are above accountability.

I strongly urge your offices to take action. Continued inaction further damages public trust in our elections. The residents of Hamtramck deserve leaders who prioritize the public good over personal gain. The people and the press are watching.
If you require additional information or cooperation from my office, I’m fully prepared to assist.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing accountability finally enforced.
Posted March 12, 2025