Former city manager files lawsuit against city council over firing

By Charles Sercombe
As predicted by the mayor, former city manager Adel Al-Adlani has filed a lawsuit against the City of Hamtramck over his firing last June.
At the June council meeting in which Al-Adlani was fired, it appeared that a fight among councilmembers would break out.
Al-Adlani’s firing came at the behest of Councilmember Mohammed Hassan, who demanded the matter be included on the agenda as a last-minute add-on.
According to sources, after becoming city manager, Al-Adlani quickly became confrontational with some department heads and other employees.
However, the council did not provide a specific reason for Al-Adlani’s firing, other than to offer vague accusations that he had violated the city charter.
Al-Adlani had no prior experience as a city manager, something that is explicitly required by the Hamtramck City Charter.
In his lawsuit, filed with the Wayne County Circuit Court, Al-Adlani is making the following accusations:
• The council entertained selling three properties on Conant, despite that being the job of the city manager, and also the council was going to sell the properties for $95,000 total – far below the assessed market value of over $420,000. Al-Adlani said he refused to OK the sale, and then was accused of insubordination.

• Councilmembers bypassed him as city manager to talk with department heads, in violation of the city charter.

• Political interference in enforcing city codes.
• The council violated the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act.
• He was falsely accused of drafting a resolution in order to “blackmail” someone.
• And he was falsely accused of nepotism, corruption, and politically improper conduct.
Al-Adlani is seeking compensation for lost wages and attorney fees, among other expenses.
His main complaint focused on Councilmember Hassan, who he accused of defaming him. Mayor Adam Alharbi warned, at the time of the firing, that it was likely Al-Adlani would file a lawsuit against the city.
In an unrelated matter, Hassan was later convicted of a misdemeanor in an election fraud-related charge.
Al-Adlani was preceded by city manager Max Garbarino, who was also fired.
Garbarino also has a pending lawsuit filed against the city.
Posted Aug. 28, 2026