The two complaints cite an alleged “pattern of irregularities, including misuse of public office, an undisclosed LLC, questionable property transfers, and the complete failure of medical oversight that allegedly resulted in a preventable death.”
A series of filings and letters submitted to California regulators and law enforcement is asking multiple agencies to examine Torrance City Councilmember Asam Sheikh over alleged failures to disclose financial interests and a separate set of accusations involving a deceased elderly resident.
The materials span ethics complaints to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), a request for local disclosure review, and a separate submission to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office flagging potential elder abuse.
The filers, who remain anonymous, have issued two complaints—one to address “the failure to acknowledge or comply with mandatory conflict-of-interest requirements applicable to public officials,” and another regarding “the potential use of a shell company to deliberately conceal or circumvent those same conflict-of-interest obligations.”
The central question is whether or not Sheikh accurately reported financial interests required under California’s Political Reform Act, including real property, business ownership, and income.
The FPPC submission itemizes 35 separate alleged reporting violations spanning several years. Namely, that Sheikh repeatedly failed to include or timely update information on Form 700 statements across multiple years, then submitted amendments years later that allegedly corrected or added missing disclosures.
Where the FPPC complaint focuses on financial disclosure, a separate April 2026 letter sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office focuses on criminal allegations. That submission argues, among other things, that shortly after winning election to the City Council on January 3, 2021, Sheikh formed “a shell company [that] could facilitate the nondisclosure of property transfers, rental income, and the management or proceeds of retirement accounts.”
During his first month in office, Sheikh allegedly formed Sheikh Torrance Property LLC (which went undisclosed), prepared a new trust, exercised a Grant Deed of Rescission, and obtained an Advance Health Care Directive over an elderly individual—one John Fleming—who held financial and property assets.
Within weeks, Fleming died due to severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Ownership of the property was transferred to Sheikh later that year.
Given that Sheikh had proximity and access to Fleming’s daily care, and was involved in decisions affecting both medical oversight and financial affairs—there is now “exists strong evidence of elder neglect and financial exploitation committed by a public official who allegedly exploited the standing and authority of his elected office to gain the trust of a vulnerable elder,” the complaint reads.
“Councilman Shiekh is alleged to have used his official position as a powerful lure, offering promises of community recognition and status that were deeply meaningful to the victim, to secure control over the elder’s health-care decisions (via the Advance Health Care Directive), real property (the house deed), and substantial financial assets (the unreported IRA exceeding $500,000).”
“Given the pattern of irregularities, including misuse of public office, an undisclosed LLC, questionable property transfers, and the complete failure of medical oversight that allegedly resulted in a preventable death listed as malnutrition, the following demand immediate investigation,” the letter continues. It then goes on to list a series of potential red flags which warrant clear review.
It also raises concerns about the involvement of an attorney who allegedly assisted in preparing estate documents and property transfers after having prior contact with Sheikh, suggesting a possible conflict of interest or undisclosed relationship.
Further, threats of litigation were reportedly made against the elder’s daughter and posits that family members were excluded from certain arrangements involving memorial and estate decisions.
Sheikh has not been charged with any crime in connection with the allegations. He has called the elder abuse allegations specifically “an ugly campaign” by political opponents who want to undermine him because “I gave aid and comfort to my neighbor, which helped prevent him from losing his home.”
“The activities and interactions were not minor paperwork errors or innocent neighborly help,” reads one of the complaints. “They are major, deeply disturbing failures.”
