Michigan City Council Member With Violent Past Charged With Election Fraud: Leon El-Alamin, a Community Activist and Face of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Social Justice Program, is Accused of Lying On His Candidacy Form

WNEM TV5 / YOUTUBE

Michigan City Council Member With Violent Past Charged With Election Fraud:

Leon El-Alamin, a community activist and face of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s social justice program, is accused of lying on his candidacy form.

Flint, Michigan, City Council Member Leon El-Alamin, seems to believe honesty is the best policy. 

“I deal with a lot of different types of people. I’m always me regardless of who they are. Whether it’s the governor or mayor, I’m still going to be honest and tell you the truth of what’s going on, and the things that you can do to help,” El-Alamin said in a profile produced by Muslims for American Progress (MAP) Project. 

But the community activist and face of Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s sweeping criminal record expungement program finds himself allegedly at odds with the truth, once again in trouble with the law — this time facing election fraud charges amid his re-election campaign. That may be the least of the former drug dealer’s problems in a swing state notorious for election integrity issues. 

‘Political Distraction’

El-Alamin is free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond after his arraignment earlier this month, according to mlive.com. He was expected to appear in court for his preliminary hearing on Thursday. If convicted of the charges against him, Flint’s 1st Ward councilman could be sentenced to a maximum five years in prison, and he’d lose his place on the November ballot. 

El-Alamin, 45, stands accused of lying on his affidavit in April 2025, claiming he resided within Flint’s city limits to qualify for the council seat. He did not, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton told ABC 12 in Flint. Instead, El-Alamin was residing in nearby Mt. Morris Township, residents and others told police. A tenant at the Flint address listed on the councilman’s affidavit also told investigators that El-Alamin did not live there, but that he was the landlord of the property.

Prosecutors allege El-Alamin made a false affidavit, or swore falsely under oath, to qualify as a candidate for elective office: https://t.co/GuIEbO0jJN pic.twitter.com/aTSR8qAGjD

— WNEM TV5 News (@WNEMTV5news) July 14, 2026

The official charge is election law false swearing, or perjury, and it comes nearly two years after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office received a complaint accusing El-Alamin of wrongdoing. 

He did not return The Federalist’s message seeking comment left at the MADE Institute, the nongovernmental organization the ex-con launched after getting out of prison. MADE stands for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education, and its mission ostensibly is to help “returned citizens” (ex-cons) and at-risk youth find employment, education, and housing. 

The councilman did tell MLive.com in a statement that he is “confident that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.” 

“I have always believed in the rule of law and due process,” he said, adding that he will continue to defend himself through the legal process.

“Whether intentional or not, these repeated accusations have become a political distraction that shifts attention away from the real issues our residents and neighbors are facing,” El-Alamin said in the statement. 

‘Brutal and Terrifying Assault’

The council member who runs a $1 million nonprofit dedicated to providing “comprehensive non-violence prevention programs” also awaits an October trial on a felony charge of “assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder” and a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. 

Mt. Morris Township police arrested him a little over a year ago on allegations that he choked and caused lacerations on his then-girlfriend’s face after she called 911 asking for help, according to previous court testimony. El-Alamin has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include a habitual offender charge. 

Councilmember Jerri Winfrey-Carter has called for his removal from the council. 

“The disturbing and detailed statement from the survivor outlines a brutal and terrifying assault, including choking, dragging, punching, and threats of further violence,” Winfrey-Carter wrote of her Facebook page. “Her courage to speak out in the face of trauma is commendable, and I stand with her.”

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