City clerk fired over punching bag

Former City Clerk Rana (nee Faraj) Allen.

By Charles Sercombe
Following a rocky November election marred by accusations of illegal ballot harvesting, a mayoral recount and 37 uncounted absentee ballots, City Clerk Rana Faraj is now out of a job.
But none of those matters had much to do with her termination by the city.
Instead, it was largely about a punching bag that sported a photograph of mayoral candidate Muhith Mahmood that was found in her office.
Mahmood, who is waiting for the state court of appeals to decide on the fate on the uncounted 37 ballots, said he was outraged over the punching bag.
“How would you feel?” Mahmood told The Review. “It’s a hate crime.”
To the city, it was “inappropriate,” and city officials determined that, as city clerk she failed to perform her job “in a professional and impartial manner,” according to Faraj’s termination letter, dated Feb. 5 and issued by former Interim City Manager Alex Lagrou that The Review obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
There was no explanation provided about why the punching bag was in her office, or what caused the apparent animosity between Mahmood and the clerk’s office.
The letter went on to say: “Failing to remove the punching bag and/or discipline the staff member who affixed the photograph demonstrates a dereliction of your duties and (raises) concerns regarding your judgment and ability to manage.”
Faraj, whose married name is now Rana Allen, had already been placed on paid suspension after the election.
The Review reached out to Faraj for comment, but she had not responded by the time The Review went to press on Thursday.
Faraj filed a lawsuit against the city while on paid suspension, and is seeking $5 million in damages.
The city’s decision to fire Faraj (Allen) was made after an internal investigation by the law firm Miller Johnson, who interviewed her and others connected with the November election.
As for the uncounted absentee ballots, they were discovered after the election. Wayne County election officials refused a request by Mahmood to count the ballots because they had been left unattended, and therefore could have been tampered with.
Mahmood appealed that decision to the Wayne County Circuit Court, where a judge sided with Wayne County election officials.
Mahmood then requested the state supreme court to hear his appeal, but that court first bounced the case back down to the state court of appeals, which is now considering the matter.
Hamtramck has posted a job seeking a new city clerk. The position pays $90,000 a year. For more information on how to apply, go to the city’s website at: hamtramckcity.gov.
Posted March 6, 2026