The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and its President, Martin Manna, should provide our community with transparency regarding the current status of Martin’s brother, Jibran “Jim” Manna, within the organization. He is also an elected Trustee with the Township of West Bloomfield.
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Jim Manna has been arrested and is facing serious felony charges. Prosecutors allege that he secretly recorded his adult stepdaughters through concealed recording devices. These remain allegations, and Jim is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
However, according to the Chamber’s own 2026 Board and Committee publication, Jim is listed as an Executive Committee Member, Political Action Committee (PAC) Member, Membership Committee Member, and Board Member.
Does Jim still hold these positions today? Has he been suspended, placed on leave, resigned, or removed? Who selects or appoints individuals to these committees, and who has the authority to suspend or remove them? What standards does the Chamber apply when someone holding these positions faces serious criminal charges?
Martin, on April 16, you publicly addressed the case involving Chaldean community member Wally Gaggo and specifically commended Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Police Chief James Gallagher, and their teams for their work in identifying, charging, and holding him accountable.
You also publicly discussed how the matter affected you, your family, colleagues, and others in our community. So why has the Chamber not provided public clarity regarding your own brother’s current status within the organization now that he is facing felony charges?
I also know firsthand why consistency matters. When allegations involving me became public four years ago, despite the fact that I was never arrested or jailed, communication from Martin, Sharkey Haddad, and individuals associated with the Chamber Political Action Committee stopped, and I was no longer invited to Chamber events as I had been previously—even though I had attended political events with some of these same individuals just days before the allegations became public. In 2022, I was also told to leave my position with the Chaldean Cultural Center at Shenandoah Country Club after the allegations involving me became public, and I complied.
So I am asking for the same principle today: consistency. I am not asking anyone to declare Jim guilty. I am asking why our community still does not have a clear answer or official statement regarding whether he continues to hold multiple positions within the Chamber.
Martin holds significant influence through his leadership of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, the Chaldean Community Foundation, and his role with Chaldean News. With that influence comes responsibility and accountability.
If Jim has been suspended, resigned, removed, or placed on leave, tell the community. If he remains in these positions, tell the community that as well.
If Martin cannot provide basic transparency regarding this matter as President of the Chamber, then it is my opinion that he should resign as President.
No individual, family, or organization speaks for the entire Chaldean community.
Enough is enough. We deserve consistency. We deserve transparency. We deserve answers.
