Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A federal jury in Cleveland has found two brothers and a public official guilty of orchestrating a complex fraud and bribery scheme that extended across state and international borders.
After more than two weeks of trial before U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent, Zubair Al Zubair (also known as Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq), 42, formerly of Bratenahl, Ohio; his brother Muzzammil Al Zubair (also known as Muzzammil Ibn Muhammad), 31, formerly of Pepper Pike, Ohio; and their associate Michael Leon Smedley, 56, of Cleveland, were convicted on several charges. These included conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and Hobbs Act conspiracy. The Al Zubair brothers were also convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, several counts of money laundering, theft of government funds, and aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. Additionally, Zubair Al Zubair was found guilty of willful failure to file tax returns.
Court documents revealed that between June 2020 and August 2023 the brothers used fraudulent investment schemes involving COVID emergency business loans from the Small Business Administration, cryptocurrency mining investments, and real estate transactions to defraud victims.
The proceeds from these activities allowed the brothers to purchase luxury items including jewelry, high-end watches and vehicles such as Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. They also acquired over 80 firearms—including a custom gold-plated AK-47 style rifle—and traveled both domestically and internationally using private jets while staying at luxury hotels.
According to evidence presented at trial, the brothers exaggerated their wealth and claimed influential connections. Zubair Al Zubair stated he was married to a United Arab Emirates princess while Muzzammil described himself as a hedge fund manager despite only learning about hedge funds through YouTube videos. Through these claims they developed a relationship with Smedley—a public official serving as chief of staff for the mayor of East Cleveland.
Smedley leveraged his city position to assist the Al Zubair brothers by attempting to secure state funding for their ventures; issuing letters on city letterhead; arranging for Zubair Al Zubair’s appointment as International Economic Advisor for East Cleveland; providing business cards in his name; and giving them official police badges from East Cleveland. In exchange for these actions Smedley received bribes such as suite tickets to Cleveland Browns games; cigars; Japanese wagyu beef; expensive meals; offers of future employment; and other payments.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 5. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for their most serious offenses. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory considerations.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Cleveland Division alongside IRS Criminal Investigation agents. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Joseph H. Walsh prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
