Displaying items by tag: Samir Abdelqader

The former Summit County Councilwoman and top-ranking Summit County Democratic Party leader Tamela Lee will be heading off to prison -- sentenced to a five-year stretch for corruption in a case where prosecutors painted her as taking cash and other favors to intervene for a local business and court appearances. She had tears in her eyes when sentenced but maintains she's innocent and an appeal is likely

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(U.S. Attorney) A former Summit County councilwoman was sentenced to five years in prison for taking bribes in exchange for trying to influence court proceedings and investigations, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Tamela Lee, 58, of Akron, was convicted by a jury earlier this year on all six counts: conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud, honest services mail fraud, Hobbs Act conspiracy, violating the Hobbs Act, obstruction of justice and making false statements to law enforcement.

“This is a public official who used her office to collect cash, cigarettes, home repairs and other things that average citizens have to pay for,” Sierleja said. “She violated the public’s trust and is now being held accountable for her actions.”

"Tamela Lee, a community councilwoman elected by the citizens she was supposed to lawfully represent, was motivated by her own self- interests and greed,” Anthony said. “The FBI is pleased Ms. Lee is being held accountable for these criminal actions. The FBI will continue to root out public corruption, whether it is elected officials that violate their oath and the law or citizens that bribe them to do so.”

Lee solicited and accepted things from Omar Abdelqader, including money, loans, campaign contributions, home improvements, home maintenance and consumer goods. These were provided directly by Omar Abdelqader, or through Bi-Rite and totaled more than $6,500, according to court documents and testimony. In return, Lee performed and promised to perform official acts for Omar Abdelqader and other businesses in Akron for which he served as a conduit to Lee. These actions included helping Omar Abdelqader and his designees navigate government bureaucracy, achieve favorable outcomes in judicial and administrative proceedings and obtain streamlined access to information, according to court documents and testimony.

Omar Abdelqader was affiliated with several convenience stores and other businesses in the Akron area, including the Bi-Rite on Diagnonal Road. Abdelrahman Abdelqader is his brother and Samir Abdelqader is his nephew, according to court documents.

On June 8, 2014, Omar and Samir Abdelqader discussed Samir obtaining a bond regarding criminal charges he was facing. About 40 minutes later, Omar and Lee discussed the councilwoman emailing or calling the judge. On June 12, Lee called Judge 2’s chambers several times. The next day Lee asked Omar for money, and he directed her to the Bi-Rite to collect the money, according to court documents and testimony. On June 14, 2014, Lee sent a text message to Omar informing him that the judge and bailiff returned her call. She then sent a text message to Omar stating: “I am going to bed, I am angry and frustrated and broke…bye,” according to according to court documents and testimony.

Later that day, Omar instructed Lee to send her daughter to the Bi-Rite to pick up cash. Three days later, Lee spoke to Judge 2 and told the judge she was related to Samir Abdelqader, according to court documents and testimony.

In July 2014, Lee and Omar spoke repeatedly about fundraising for her campaign. Omar told Person 9 that he had collected $800 in donations for Lee. Omar explained the Lee provided service. “In other words, I am keeping her because we need her, man,” Omar told Person 9, who responded: “She is better than an attorney to us!” according to court documents and testimony.

Omar Abdelqader, of North Canton, Abdelrahman Abdelqader, of Canton, and Samir Abdelqader, of Fairlawn, have pleaded guilty to crimes related to this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linda Barr and Elliot Morrison following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Akron Police Department.

The shoe dropping for Summit Council Ward 4 Councilwoman Tamela Lee, under investigation the past year by the feds that includes a raid on her home, subpoenaes for public records and even notification to other politicians their conversations with her may have been recorded.

All four were arrested this morning and are scheduled to appear before Judge Vecchiarelli in Cleveland this afternoon.

Lee was named in an 11 count indictment announced today by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Cleveland office.

They charge her and three others with a bribery scheme and conspiracy that rewarded her for support of a liquor license application and a continued pattern of corruption. Also indicted was Omar Abdelqader of North Canton, Abdelrahman Abdelqader of Canton and Samir Abdelqader of Fairlawn.

In addition to her position representing Ward 5 (Copley, West Akron, Bath Township and Fairlawn), Lee's biography also notes she is the second vice-chair of the Summit County Democratic Party and was a founding member of the Summit County Progressive Democrats. 

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(USDOJ) A Summit County councilwoman was named in an 11-count federal indictment, charged with taking cash bribes and other things of value in exchange for official actions, including help with court cases, impeding a pending IRS investigation and assistance obtaining a liquor license, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Cleveland office.

Tamela Lee, 57, of Akron, was indicted on six counts: conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud, honest services mail fraud, Hobbs Act conspiracy, violating the Hobbs Act, obstruction of justice and making false statements to law enforcement.

"The charges in this case are extremely serious, because our public officials owe the community the highest level of integrity and honesty," Dettelbach said. "Working with the FBI, we will continue to pursue corruption allegations so that the public can trust its elected officials."

"Ms. Lee and the three other defendants must be held accountable for their crimes," Anthony said. "She was supposed to lawfully represent the people that elected her, but rather, was motivated by her own self interests. The FBI will continue to root out public corruption, whether it is elected officials that violate their oath and the law or citizens that bribe them to do so."

Three others were also indicted.

- Omar Abdelqader, 49, of North Canton, was indicted on seven counts: conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud, honest services mail fraud, Hobbs Act conspiracy, violating the Hobbs Act, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to law enforcement.

- Abdelrahman Abdelqader, 42, of Canton, was indicted on two counts: obstruction of justice and making false statements to law enforcement.

- Samir Abdelqader, 19, of Fairlawn, was indicted on one count of making false statements to law enforcement.

Omar Abdelqader was affiliated with several convenience stores and other businesses in the Akron area, including the Bi-Rite on Diagnonal Road. Abdelrahman Abdelqader is his brother and Samir Abdelqader is his nephew, according to the indictment.

Lee solicited and accepted things from Omar Abdelqader, including money, loans, campaign contributions, home improvements, home maintenance and consumer goods. These were provided directly by Omar Abdelqader, or through Bi-Rite, according to the indictment.

In return, Lee performed and promised to perform official acts for Omar Abdelqader and other businesses in Akron for which he served as a conduit to Lee. These actions included helping Omar Abdelqader and his designees navigate government bureaucracy, achieve favorable outcomes in judicial and administrative proceedings and obtain streamlined access to information, according to the indictment.

For example, on July 5, 2013, Lee caused to be sent a letter to the State of Ohio Liquor Control Commission on behalf of Person 7's store, recommending approval of a liquor license application.

On June 8, 2014, Omar and Samir Abdelqader discussed Samir obtaining a bond regarding criminal charges he was facing. About 40 minutes later, Omar and Lee discussed the councilwoman emailing or calling the judge. On June 12, Lee called Judge 2's chambers several times. The next day Lee asked Omar for money, and he directed her to the Bi-Rite to collect the money, according to the indictment.

On June 14, 2014, Lee sent a text message to Omar informing him that the judge and bailiff returned her call. She then sent a text message to Omar stating: "I am going to bed, I am angry and frustrated and broke...bye," according to the indictment.

Later that day, Omar instructed Lee to send her daughter to the Bi-Rite to pick up cash. Three days later, Lee spoke to Judge 2 and told the judge she was related to Samir Abdelqader, according to the indictment.

In July 2014, Lee and Omar spoke repeatedly about fundraising for her campaign. Omar told Person 9 that he had collected $800 in donations for Lee. Omar explained the Lee provided service. "In other words, I am keeping her because we need her, man," Omar told Person 9, who responded: "She is better than an attorney to us!" according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon and Linda Barr following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Akron Police Department.

If convicted, the defendants' sentences will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant's prior criminal record (if any), the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

An indictment is only charge and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.