A former Lodi councilmember has agreed to forfeit $460,000 in cash and property that were deemed proceeds from illegal gambling when he was in office, the San Joaquin County district attorney’s office announced.
Shakir Khan agreed to give up the assets after admitting his involvement in criminal profiteering.
“When a public servant abuses their position to engage in criminal activities, it’s not just a breach of law, but a profound betrayal of public trust,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a statement. “This case is a stark reminder of the egregious nature of such corruption.”
Khan has agreed to give up $76,987 in cash from his home and various accounts and two properties in Lodi valued at a total of $383,013. The Lodi properties include a home on Watson Street and a business on Lodi Avenue.
The proceeds will go into the county’s general fund.
The investigation into Khan dates to 2019 when the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office became concerned about an uptick of crime in east Stockton’s Waterloo area. That led to the discovery of illegal internet gambling operations. One was at Khan’s American Smokers Club.
Khan was arrested in connection with the case in February 2023. Investigations into his business operations were expected to lead to three separate trials, before no-contest pleas were entered.
One came in January 2024, when Khan pleaded no contest to having been involved in voter fraud during the 2020 elections. He also faced 22 counts involving false COVID-19 claims filed with the state Employment Development Department.
Addressing the latest case, Freitas said it’s proof “that those who exploit their office for personal gain face the consequences.”