Allebban

Former Wayne County Information Technology Director Zayd Allebban was sentenced this week by a judge to 41 months in federal prison. Allebban is a former appointee of Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. 

Last February, Allebban was convicted of two counts of obstruction of justice by a jury, for creating fake receipts to cover up bribe payments that a County computer vendor paid to Allebban’s boss, Tahir Kazmi, the former head of IT for the County. 

Kazmi was reportedly paid as much as $100,000 in bribe and extortion payments. Kazmi pleaded guilty, but has yet to be sentenced.  Allegations of corruption in Wayne County first emerged in 2011. 

In addition to the 41 months of prison time, Allebban will serve two years of supervised release. He is the only Ficano aide to go to trial. Three others, including Kazmi, have made plea deals and are expected to be sentenced in the near future.