A former Clinton Township attorney was arraigned Tuesday in Sterling Heights after prosecutors say he took a $10,000 retainer from a client while his law license was suspended. Ziad Khalel, 55, is charged with a felony count of false pretenses with intent to defraud, along with a habitual offender allegation, according to authorities. Prosecutors say the alleged retainer came in December 2025, about two months after his automatic suspension tied to a federal health care fraud conviction.
Prosecutors' allegations
Macomb County prosecutors allege Khalel accepted a $10,000 retainer in December 2025 to represent a client even though his license had been suspended that October. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged him with false pretenses with intent to defraud and added a habitual offender enhancement, according to ClickOnDetroit. He was arraigned in 41A District Court in Sterling Heights and released on a $7,500 personal bond.
License suspended after federal conviction
According to public discipline records, Khalel's law license was automatically suspended after he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on Oct. 20, 2025. The Michigan Bar Journal's Orders of Discipline lists an interim suspension in U.S.A. v. Ziad Khalel (E.D. Mich., Case No. 23-cr-20022) and notes that the suspension took effect under Michigan Court Rule 9.120. That suspension remains in place while disciplinary proceedings continue.
Court schedule and prosecutor's statement
At the arraignment, a magistrate set Khalel’s personal bond at $7,500 and scheduled a probable cause conference for next Thursday. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido told ClickOnDetroit, "No one is above the law," and said his office applies the law "evenly and without exception." Prosecutors stressed that Khalel’s status as an attorney does not change their focus on protecting victims and pursuing justice.
Legal implications
Under Michigan law, obtaining money or property worth between $1,000 and $20,000 by false pretenses is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, according to the Michigan Legislature entry on MCL 750.218. Prosecutors are also seeking a habitual offender enhancement, which can increase the maximum sentence based on prior felony convictions. The Michigan courts' benchbook explains that MCL 769.10 through 769.12 govern those enhancements, and any eventual sentence will depend on how the court counts prior convictions and what happens at future hearings.
What’s next
Khalel remains presumed innocent as the case moves through the district court. The next scheduled step is a probable cause conference next Thursday in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights. The case could lead to additional filings in Macomb County as prosecutors develop their presentation. Court records and public filings will show how the charges move forward.
