A Flint city councilman is stacking up criminal charges like they're going out of style, and this political saga just keeps getting wilder.
Leon El-Alamin, 45, got hauled into court on July 13, 2026, facing a perjury count tied to his official candidacy paperwork, as The American Tribune reported. Prosecutors allege this guy swore under oath that he resided within Flint's boundaries when he submitted his affidavit back in April. One problem: investigators say that was completely false.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton told ABC 12 that authorities visited a neighborhood in Mt. Morris Township where locals informed them El-Alamin had been living for years. Even juicier? When cops showed up at the Flint address listed on his official filing, they found a totally different person renting the place. Somebody's got some explaining to do.
The councilman posted a $5,000 personal recognizance bond and walked out. But if convicted, he's staring down up to five years in prison or a $1,000 fine. Oh, and his name gets yanked right off the ballot.
Here's where things get really spicy. This election fraud charge isn't even his biggest legal headache. El-Alamin was already scheduled for trial on felony assault and domestic violence accusations. According to MLive, an alleged victim testified that on July 10, 2025, the councilman punched her in the head, yanked her around by her hair, and choked her inside a residence they shared in Mt. Morris Township. Her affidavit states she lived with him at that location from June 2023 until the day of the alleged attack.
Township police reportedly observed facial cuts and marks on the alleged victim's neck after she called emergency dispatchers. El-Alamin was hit with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, a felony, plus a misdemeanor domestic violence count. A habitual offender enhancement was tacked on as well, which could bump up any potential sentence.
Attorneys noted in March 2026 that the alleged victim might not want to take the stand against him. Leyton, however, made clear he intends to move forward with prosecution regardless.
So what's this guy doing amid all these legal troubles? Campaigning, naturally! El-Alamin currently holds the 1st Ward seat and is actively running for the 3rd Ward in November's election against candidate Paradise Williams. Beverly Biggs-Leavy, previously booted from the ballot, is also competing as a write-in.
But winning might not even matter. Flint's city charter requires any council member convicted of a felony while serving to forfeit their seat immediately. The domestic violence charges alone carry a possible 10 year prison sentence.
El-Alamin insists he is innocent of every single charge and claims both cases are politically motivated. Bold strategy from a politician currently juggling two separate criminal proceedings while simultaneously asking voters for their trust.
Read more American news stories at: The American Tribune
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