Prosecutors on Friday issued an arrest warrant for a former Ohio deputy treasurer who pleaded guilty in December to federal charges in a kickback scheme, after receiving information he violated terms of his release.
Amer Ahmad, 39, faces up to 15 years in prison for bribery and conspiracy. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbus said that U.S. marshals were searching for Ahmad. Ahmad was released on bail until he could be sentenced but surrendered his passport. A message seeking comment was left with Ahmad's attorney, Karl Schneider. Schneider filed a motion March 11 asking for more time to submit objections to a pre-sentence investigation report. "There are several issues and facts that need to be thoroughly reviewed and researched that are multifaceted and could have an effect on Ahmad's ultimate sentence," he said. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson had given him until Tuesday. The arrest warrant unsealed by Watson on Friday listed Ahmad's address in Chicago, where he served as comptroller under Mayor Rahm Emanuel until resigning in July. Court records indicate that between 2009 and January 2011, Ahmad, friend Mohammed NoureAlo, Canton-based financial adviser Douglas E. Hampton and mortgage broker Joseph M. Chiavaroli conspired to use Ahmad's position at the state treasurer's office to enrich themselves and their businesses by securing lucrative state business. Ahmad funneled official broker services business from the state to Hampton in return for payments. Public documents later showed then-Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce, a Democrat who also served on Columbus City Council, learned just after losing the 2010 election that Ahmad was under federal investigation yet proceeded to recommend him for the Chicago job. Boyce is now a member of the Ohio House.