Hamtramck Star

is councilman shahab ahmed out on bond yet?

I understand he was released Sunday, before his arraignment.

Is there a mugshot for the councilman? The Bengal Spice (shahab's brother's store) claims he was released Saturday! Any idea exactly when he was released?

I'm not sure, but I do know that if I assaulted my husband and was arrested by the police on a Saturday morning, I would be sitting in jail until my arraignment on Monday. Our court doesn't hear arraignments on Sunday, and the victim doesn't have to press charges for the prosecutor to file them.

If there's a mugshot, which I assume there is, it can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

He could av been released on Sunday, the police have video arraigments on the weekends. So it is possible that is what happened.

A bengali national newspaper reported that the trouble started with extramarital affairs with his secretaries at his business. Shahab told that he is the victim of a BIG conspiracy!! according to the newspaper. I wonder who conspired him to beat his wife?

Here is the link of the news(opens in IE and in Bengali)
http://www.ittefaq.com/content/2008/07/22/news0481.htm

hillary, you are right in that (unlike charges for larceny, embezzlement, etc.) the victim does not have to press charges for the prosecutor to file them; the reason for this is the same as in rape, robbery, burglary, arson, etc. however, if the victim does not testify, the prosecutor may decide not to file charges since s/he may not be able to prove (using testimony) her case.

can someone keep us up to date, Pllllllllllease :\

I heard that it was forwarded to the prosecutor, and that the prosecutor is declining to press charges due to lack of evidence.

Any other poor person who was arrested who is not a councilman would wait until after the weekend for the prosecutor to decide charges or not. However, somehow this was "hurried." Some questions: 1) is the state police investigating this? If not, why not? Mayor Jankowski was investigated by the state police, twice. Hamtramck Police didn't investigate that. Also, isn't the chief of police a contributor and endorser to the recent Ahmed campaign? 2) Isn't Ahmed's wife a lawyer? If she was subpeoned and then refused to appear wouldn't the bar association revoke her law license? 3) If the prosecutor was declining charges, then why would he be arraigned by the court? Doesn't it take a warrant to be issued, before the court would act? 4) If there was a lack of evidence, why would the police arrest him in the first place?

Just some questions that hopefully could be clarified.

This is the latest from "The Citizen" July 23, 2008

In what could be a serious blow to a promising political career, City Councilmember Shahab Ahmed was arrested Saturday morning for spousal abuse.

He was later released after being booked but was not charged.

The Hamtramck Police Department will only say that Ahmed was arrested and then released since the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office declined to press charges. Sources say the Prosecuter’s office backed off because Ahmed’s wife declined to press charges.

A website called Hamtramck Star also uploaded the recording of a dispatcher sending officers to Ahmed’s Gallagher St. address regarding a “domestic” offense.

Ahmed did not return calls for comment.

He is married to attorney Lisa McGuire-Ahmed and they have two children.

Ahmed owns Shondon Enterprises, which offers a variety of services for recent immigrants, including driving instructions.

He is now in his third term on council and had been Mayoral Pro Tem during the previous term. For the second time, Ahmed is seeking the position of state representative for the district that covers Hamtramck, Highland Park and part of Detroit. He is seen as a long shot in unseating the incumbent, Bert Johnson.

Also taking away Ahmed’s chances in the election is fellow Councilmember Abdul Algazali, who is also seeking the position.

Ahmed had been seen as a rising star in local politics. The Justice Department had tapped him on occasion to represent the US in seminars and discussions on how cities successfully integrate ethnic minorities.

Ahmed is the first Bangladesh-born person to be elected to local office, and may also be the first in the state.

He is not without his critics, however.

Some have taken issue that he is part of the Solidarity slate and votes in lockstep with them.

He was also criticized for failing to chair two council meetings when the mayor was out of town. Ahmed’s opposition accused him of ducking out from his duty as Mayoral Pro Tem because the balance of the council’s votes would have been tipped against Solidarity.

Ahmed is also criticized for largely remaining silent on council and for not bringing much to the plate. His political opponents also paint a different picture of his public persona where he comes off as a polite, soft-spoken family man.

Instead, his opponents say, below the surface is a very aggressive person who will confront and try to intimidate opponents.


source the "The Citizen" Page 1 Right Column

Well this begs the question. Which police agency followed up with the investigation? Was it Hamtramck PD or the state police? I'm thinking Hamtramck as it was done so "quickly." Others who have been locked up for Spousal Abuse would have had to wait until Monday, but somehow, Mr. Ahmed got through pretty quick. If the state police did have the investigation, it probably would not have been over so quick!

The "Hamtramck" police present the information to the prosecutor, hmmmm, Did the chief of police who depends on Ahmed for his contract make this "go away" with a "presentation to the prosecutor" that there "was not enough evidence." Did they attempt to talk the wife out of cooperating? Ahmed's wife is a lawyer, if she is subpeonaed she has to attend and testify, if not it's contempt and she could lose her law license. All pretty suspicious to me. Sounds like a classic "Hamtramck Police cover up" that goes on time and time again.

Begum's appointment to the Assessor's Board of Review is certainly suspect. Especially since Ahmed appeared before the same board arguing for lower taxes directly after her appointment

hamtown, is this a translation of a newspaper article, perhaps the one cited above?

Is there proof of an affair between Ahmed and Begum? I ask because making accusations like that without proof is defamatory.

The newspaper did mention 'The trouble started with an affair with Shahab's secretary, without mentioning name.

Sounds like there is a voice that doesn't get heard from (outside the Bangladeshi community anyway). Shahab spoke to The Citizen and that article is now online.

I see that. Only in Hamtramck would a public official admit to domestic violence in the newspaper and try to justify it.

I don't think the general public knows how much Shahab has upset the Bangladeshi community. The way he has held the signs and celebration for Bangladesh Avenue over their heads is outrageous.

I should add that the lack of a content-neutral information policy at the police department is a disservice to both Shahab and the public. The rumors going around are probably far worse than what actually happened, and domestic violence is a serious issue that needs to be discussed more in this city.

Steven wrote: "Is there proof of an affair between Ahmed and Begum? I ask because making accusations like that without proof is defamatory."

It would be very hard, if not impossible, for Ahmed to bring a defamation claim. The test that courts would use to determine whether it's actionable defamation is the New York Times test (which comes from Sullivan v. NY Times). In this case, Ahmed is a public official and the matter is of a public concern. The general rule is that Ahmed must prove "actual malice," which is a term of art and not the common definition of malice (i.e., ill-will, spite, etc.). Ahmed would have to prove by clear and convincing evidence (not just by a preponderance of the evidence) that the publisher of said defamatory statement made the statement(s), of and concerning Ahmed, with either knowledge of the falsity or with reckless disregard (negligence is not enough) for the truth. And that is a very high standard to meet in terms of burden of proof.

If Ahmed can jump these hurdles and avoid summary judgment, he would have a chance. If he's able to prove his case then he would be awarded actual, presumed, and punitive damages. But this is unlikely to happen because Ahmed wouldn't want to publicize this matter any more than he has to.

Thanks for that.

It's good to know that there isn't much legal footing for defamation cases regarding public officials. I think the fear remains in "SLAPP" lawsuits which are usually targeted against people who participate in public debate.

Steven,

Unfortunately, Michigan has not enacted statutory protections against SLAPPs. But that's no surprise. Take a look at this article if you're interested:

http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/michigan-supreme-court-ranked-last/

after reading the Citizen" article of shahab.I am very upset he has never opened a sinlge door of opportunity for anyone beside himself. He has been unfaithful to his wife since 2005. Ever notice only girls are working in his campaign no men. His wife have never made a single effort to help in his campaign. The begum name is Roshni begum.

What shocked me about the article was the rationalizations Ahmed gave for the battery. I guess if you're tired or under a lot of stress it's okay to beat up on your spouse.

What kind of horseshit is that?

At an ethnic picnic Ahmed also threatened to sue for the reports on the news papers. Privately, it is rumored & confirmed by some that he bragged about becoming a worldwide celebrity!!!

By the way, he still takes his two female employees (Yes, JB too) to the picnic along with his beloved wife!
Shame on him AND his wife.