Civil Rights Advocate Imad Hamad Placed on Administrative Leave

Imad Hamad, an Arab-American civil rights advocate, has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual harassment.

Hamad has been under scrutiny since Friday, when state Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, sent a letter to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee accusing Hamad of sexually harassed her and other women when she worked in his Dearborn office for five months in 1999.

Hamad serves as the ADC senior national adviser and Michigan regional director.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Tlaib claims that Hamad’s harassment consisted of aggressive groping, stroking of hair, rubbing his body against women, trying to kiss them, commenting in suggestive ways on women’s body parts, paddling women and pressuring women to sleep with him.

The ADC could not be reached for comment on Saturday, but released the following statement:

"As the country's premiere Arab American civil rights organization, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) reiterates sexual harassment is not and will not be tolerated. ADC takes with the utmost seriousness any and all allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct."

The ADC said it received notice of Hamad's alleged misconduct on May 31. Shortly after receipt of the complaint, ADC informed Hamad that he was being placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation into the allegations.

"As soon as it can be arranged, and with the assistance of outside legal counsel, ADC will be retaining the services of a reputable and completely independent investigator experienced in such matters to thoroughly investigate the alleged misconduct. ADC expects and requires Mr. Hamad to fully cooperate in this investigation. Upon completion of the independent investigation a determination will be made as to the employment status of Mr. Hamad," the ADC said in a press release.

Click here to read ADC's letter in response to Rep. Tlaib's complaint.