Two Hamtramck officials have filed a sweeping civil rights lawsuit against the city, accusing top leaders, including Mayor Amer Ghalib and Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri, of corruption, retaliation, and abuses of power that they say silenced whistleblowers and shielded misconduct.
Filed by City Manager Max Garbarino and Officer David Adamczyk, the lawsuit claims the pair exposed serious misconduct by Altaheri and other officials, including election interference, retaliatory personnel decisions, and a purported scheme to secure a presidential pardon in exchange for millions of dollars.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court by Marko Law PLLC, alleges violations of the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act, the Open Meetings Act, civil rights laws, and other statutes.
“Max Garbarino has honorably served Hamtramck for over twenty years,” attorney Jonathan Marko said in a statement Monday. “Instead of rewarding his integrity, the lawsuit alleges that the City Council betrayed him and officer David Adamczyk, punishing them for standing up against corruption and misconduct at the highest levels. This lawsuit will hold Hamtramck accountable and send a clear message: public servants who protect their community from wrongdoing deserve support, not retaliation.”
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