HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Hamtramck City Council voted against removing two of its members amid a residency investigation.
This vote follows a report from a private investigator hired by the city, which found that council members Muhith Mahmood and Abu Musa do not reside in Hamtramck.
Mahmood and Musa deny these allegations.
Council members voted unanimously Tuesday (May 13), with one member abstaining, to keep Mahmood and Musa on the council.
Mahmood is running for mayor, while Musa is running for reelection to council.
Several residents spoke during public comment, wanting the council members to be removed.
“We have elected people to represent us who think they’re too good to live with us,” one resident said.
A few residents backed up the council members, even questioning the legal definition of residency.
“What does it mean, residency?” one resident said. “You have to eat here four out of seven days a week, or what? There is no definition of residency, that’s the problem.”
--> Hamtramck City Council faces crucial vote over members accused of living outside city
After voting to keep the council members in place, another council member spoke about the lack of evidence brought before them.
“With the evidence we have right now, I don’t think it’s enough for action from this council to take,” Councilmember Khalil Refai said.
Hamtramck police handed the investigation over to Michigan State Police.
