world
Three Ohio Men Sentenced to Prison for Federal Fraud and Bribery Convictions
Zubair Al Zubair received 24 years in prison and his brother Muzzamil Al Zubair received 23 years for impersonating foreign royalty in elaborate fraud schemes. Michael Leon Smedley, former chief of staff for East Cleveland, was sentenced to just over eight years for accepting bribes. A federal jury convicted all three in January 2026 after a trial with 35 witnesses and 324 exhibits.
May 7, 12:27 PM·2m read1 source
nbcnews.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Zubair Al Zubair, 43, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio, was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison and his brother Muzzamil Al Zubair, 33, recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio, received 23 years on May 5, 2026, in Cleveland. Michael Leon Smedley, 57, of Cleveland, who served as chief of staff for the City of East Cleveland, was sentenced to just over eight years the same day. com reported.
A federal jury convicted the three men in January 2026 following a trial lasting more than two weeks that included 35 witnesses and 324 exhibits. The defendants were found guilty of 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 in the preparation of a false tax return.
Zubair Al Zubair was additionally convicted of willful failure to file tax returns. 2 million in joint restitution to victims. 75 million in back taxes and interest to the IRS, while Muzzamil Al Zubair owed the IRS roughly $308,000 in unpaid taxes and interest.
The brothers were ordered to forfeit 70 firearms and a motorcycle purchased with fraud proceeds. Court evidence showed the pair used fabricated personas impersonating wealthy foreign royalty to project an image of success and lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes.
Those schemes included a cryptocurrency mining venture, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and fraudulently obtained Small Business Administration emergency loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
