A Fairlawn man was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to lying to FBI agents during the federal corruption investigation into Summit County Councilwoman Tamela Lee.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko passed the sentence Tuesday against 19-year-old Samir Abdelqader, who was charged with making false statements to law enforcement officers. It’s a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines.
Boyko also ordered Abdelqader to complete 40 hours of community service.
According to prosecutors, Lee attempted to use her influence as a political figure to sway a judge to dismiss a criminal case filed against Abdelqader when he was a juvenile.
Attorneys said Lee was a regular customer at a convenience store owned by Abdelqader’s father and uncle, Abdelrahman and Omar Abdelqader.
Samir Abdelqader’s father and uncle allegedly bribed Lee to help them when the teen was charged in juvenile court with felonious assault for striking someone with a Mercedes Benz in June 2014.
Samir admitted in court that he told FBI agents in September 2014 that he didn’t know anything about the alleged bribery.
Lee and the three Abdelqader men were indicted in federal court following an investigation. Though the teen’s case is complete, the others are pending in court.
In court on Tuesday, Samir Abdelqadar’s attorney, Jack Morrison Jr., said his client takes “full responsibility” for lying to FBI agents.
“Mr. Abdelqader acknowledges that when he was asked some questions by the FBI, he had an obligation to tell the truth,” Morrison told the judge.
Morrison suggested Abdelqader may not have been aware that Lee was a councilwoman when his family allegedly sought her aid.
Lee’s alleged aid apparently had no effect on the juvenile case. He went on to plead guilty to the charge.
“She never effected a result,” Morrison said. “To Samir’s knowledge, he was never given special treatment.”
Morrison said Abdelqader struck someone with the car because he was trying to protect a cousin from harm.
“That’s not the way to protect your cousin,” the judge said. “You know that, right?”
Abdelqader agreed. When asked if he had anger management issues, he said he did not.
Still, the judge ordered Abdelqader to undergo cognitive behavioral treatment as part of his sentence.
At the sentencing, prosecutors told the judge there appeared to be some discrepancies in Abdelqader’s finances. He appeared to be spending almost four times more than his income, and a large portion of his student loans had allegedly been paid off.
Morrison said the finances were easily explained because Abdelqader lives with his father and has few expenses. He said his client also buys used cars and sells them, but sometimes it takes time to sell them. He offered no explanation for the student loans and said the prosecutors’ assessment may be mistaken.
The judge ordered Abdelqader to provide his financial records to prosecutors as part of his sentence.
Before levying the sentence, Boyko chastised Abdelqader for lying to FBI agents. He said with so much criticism against police in today’s culture, it’s hard enough already for law enforcement to do their jobs and seek justice.
“I can’t stress how important it is not to lie to law enforcement,” the judge said. “Unless people come forward and tell the truth, it’s a mess.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.