Hamtramck council puts city manager on paid leave, orders independent probe into police chief; interim manager named

Hamtramck City Council on May 27, 2025 voted to place City Manager Max Garberino on paid administrative leave and to proceed with an independent investigation into allegations tied to the Hamtramck Police Department, while naming Finance Director Amir (Saeed) Hassan as acting city manager.

The action came after more than three hours of public comment and debate. Speakers at the meeting urged both a transparent probe by outside law enforcement and protection of the chief’s privacy after an intimate recording was publicly circulated. Mayor (name not specified) said the council wanted a “fair and transparent” process and moved to place the manager on paid leave while the city attorney completes the investigation.

Why it matters: the votes change who runs day-to-day operations in Hamtramck and steer the response to competing demands from residents — some who have called for immediate suspension of the city manager and others who have demanded the police chief be reinstated or shielded from leaked private material. Several residents asked the council to refer allegations to the Michigan State Police or the FBI.

The council’s measures The council approved…