Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 55-year-old Ziad Khalel, of Clinton Township, MI, was arraigned on a felony charge stemming from him allegedly accepting a retainer for legal fees when he was legally suspended from the practice of law in Michigan.
It is alleged that in December 2025, Khalel accepted a $10,000 retainer to represent a client as an attorney on legal matters. It is further alleged that Khalel’s Michigan law license was suspended on October 20, 2025, after pleading guilty to Health Care Fraud, a felony. Ziad was not to practice law, retain clients or advertise.
On Tuesday, May 26, Khalel was arraigned in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights, MI. Khalel is charged with the following offenses:
• False Pretenses - $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000, a 5-year felony
• Habitual Offender – Second Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
These are the maximum charges available under the law based on the evidence presented to date.
Khalel received a $7,500 personal bond.
Khalel is scheduled to appear before Judge Eric Douglas Shepherd at the 41B District Court for a Probable Cause Conference on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
“No individual is above the law. Our office applies the law evenly and without exception. A defendant’s profession — whether attorney, law enforcement, or otherwise — does not alter our commitment to protecting victims and pursuing justice. Charging decisions are based solely on the facts, the evidence, and the law,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
It is alleged that in December 2025, Khalel accepted a $10,000 retainer to represent a client as an attorney on legal matters. It is further alleged that Khalel’s Michigan law license was suspended on October 20, 2025, after pleading guilty to Health Care Fraud, a felony. Ziad was not to practice law, retain clients or advertise.
On Tuesday, May 26, Khalel was arraigned in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights, MI. Khalel is charged with the following offenses:
• False Pretenses - $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000, a 5-year felony
• Habitual Offender – Second Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
These are the maximum charges available under the law based on the evidence presented to date.
Khalel received a $7,500 personal bond.
Khalel is scheduled to appear before Judge Eric Douglas Shepherd at the 41B District Court for a Probable Cause Conference on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
“No individual is above the law. Our office applies the law evenly and without exception. A defendant’s profession — whether attorney, law enforcement, or otherwise — does not alter our commitment to protecting victims and pursuing justice. Charging decisions are based solely on the facts, the evidence, and the law,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
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