Brace yourself for a story that raises eyebrows and questions about second chances gone awry in Flint, Michigan.
Leon El-Alamin, a 44-year-old Democratic city councilman, finds himself in hot water with felony and misdemeanor charges for alleged domestic violence and assault, despite having his criminal past wiped clean under a progressive state law, the New York Post reported.
Let’s rewind to El-Alamin’s earlier days, when he was known as Leon Wilson, a convicted cocaine dealer sentenced to at least 12 years in 2003 for drug and weapons charges. He even survived a coma after a violent shootout over a drug turf war. That’s quite the resume for someone now sitting on a city council.
Fast forward to April 2021, when El-Alamin’s record was expunged under Michigan’s Clean Slate Act, a policy pushed by Democrats to help ex-convicts start anew. While in prison, he converted to Islam, changed his name, and later founded the M.A.D.E. Institute, a nonprofit aimed at supporting at-risk youth and ex-inmates. Admirable, sure, but does a clean slate erase accountability?
El-Alamin was elected to Flint’s city council in November 2024, beaming with pride as he told Mid Michigan Now, “I’m excited, I can’t explain it.” That joy, however, seems short-lived when you consider the serious allegations now staining his public image. One wonders if voters knew the full story behind the polished persona.
He’s been photographed alongside big-name Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which raises questions about the party’s vetting process. Shouldn’t there be more scrutiny for someone with such a turbulent past, expunged or not?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the current mess: on July 10, 2025, El-Alamin was arrested after allegedly attacking a woman in a horrifying incident. Court documents from Mount Morris Township police paint a grim picture of violence that no amount of political spin can whitewash.
According to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, as told to WNEM, “She said that he had gotten angry with her because she was looking at her emails.” Leyton added that El-Alamin allegedly punched her in the face, dragged her by her hair, and choked her. If true, this isn’t just a personal failing—it’s a betrayal of public trust.
Leyton also noted, “She had bruising on her face, which is consistent with being struck.” The physical evidence, including a mark on her neck and strands of hair on the floor, backs up her chilling account of being choked and dragged.
The accuser reportedly locked herself in a bathroom to escape the violence and call 911, a desperate act that speaks volumes about the fear she must have felt. Adding to the concern, police found an unregistered gun in the house. How does a councilman, supposedly reformed, explain that?
Leyton confirmed to WNEM, “I do believe they found some strands of hair on the floor.” That detail alone corroborates the woman’s story, making this case harder to dismiss as a mere misunderstanding.
El-Alamin’s bond was set at $7,500 on July 16, 2025, and he appeared in court for a hearing the Thursday before this report. The legal process is unfolding, but the court of public opinion is already buzzing with skepticism about his redemption arc.
In a statement on the M.A.D.E. Institute’s Facebook page, El-Alamin insisted, “These recent allegations are both false and deeply disheartening.” He’s confident in clearing his name, but given the evidence, that’s a tall order. Progressive policies like the Clean Slate Act may offer second chances, but they don’t shield anyone from fresh accountability.
He also stated on the same platform, “My legal team is actively handling the matter.” While everyone deserves their day in court, the irony of a man who once decried mass incarceration on LinkedIn now facing serious charges isn’t lost on observers.
El-Alamin’s past remarks, like “Mass Incarceration is one of the greatest threats to our democracy,” now ring hollow against these allegations. If proven true, this incident suggests that some individuals may exploit second-chance policies while failing to truly change. Flint deserves leaders who walk the talk, not just talk the walk.
