Assad 'Sam' Suleiman, the subject of a FOX 6 investigative report on real estate fraud, attacked FOX 6 journalist John Mattes while Mattes was on location to obtain interviews for the report. FOX 6 previously aired a series alleging that Suleiman was involved in a real estate fraud scam wherein he purchased houses in the names of stolen identities and rented them out to other people. Mattes and FOX 6 Photojournalist Dennis Waldrop were intervewing a man when Suleiman's wife, Rosa Baraza, arrived and began yelling. Sulemain then arrived, walked up to Mattes, punched him in the face, put him in a headlock and dragged him to the ground where the fighting continued. Mattes suffered cracked ribs, bite wounds and cuts to his face. Suleiman and his wife were both arrested. Suleiman was charged with battery and Baraza was charged with battery, brandishing a weapon, grand theft, and making criminal threats. Both were released on bail.
The altercation was captured on video and is available for viewing on the FOX Newsite - the links to the videos are on the right side. Please be advised that the footage is violent.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors.