Upper Darby Council accepts treasurer’s resignation, but questions remain

With no comment, the Upper Darby Council voted Wednesday evening to accept the resignation of now-former Treasurer Mohammad “Danny” Sayduzzaman.

Newly elected Council President Michelle Billups asked about filling the position, noting that the treasurer is an elected office. Solicitor Lauren Gallagher said the council must appoint a replacement within 30 days. Billups said they will solicit resumes and conduct interviews before making the appointment.

Sayduzzaman’s resignation comes after Broad + Liberty began investigating and reporting on his financial issues and failure to properly complete his required ethics disclosure.

This outlet discovered that Sayduzzaman and his wife, Tanzina Hossain, had a $230,347 IRS tax lien filed against them — which Sayduzzaman did not disclose on his required financial disclosure form, along with numerous business interests. After a Broad + Liberty article brought the issue to light in May, Sayduzzaman submitted a revised disclosure form listing eight businesses in addition to New Hope Home Care, which he had included on his original filing. But the corrected form still omitted the IRS tax lien, his treasurer’s salary, nonprofit ties, and business addresses.

Pennsylvania public officials are required to report any income source exceeding $1,300 and any creditor to whom they owe more than $6,500.

During public comment Wednesday evening, resident John Vizzarri raised questions about Sayduzzaman that went unanswered. Vizzarri noted that Sayduzzaman was not present and that the only meeting he had attended was Jan. 5, 2026, when he was sworn into office.

“For seven months, I and others have asked why an elected official who appeared to have abandoned the responsibilities of his office remained in that position,” Vizzarri said. “The response, if there was one at all, was that the council and the administration had no oversight over this elected office. Yet during those same seven months, the administration continued issuing a paycheck. Public payroll records show the treasurer received approximately $4,471 in taxpayer money. Some may say that’s an insignificant amount in the scheme of a large budget; I disagree. Every taxpayer deserves accountability, especially when there is no visible performance of the duties of that office.”

Vizzarri also raised a possible financial benefit Sayduzzaman received while in office.

“It also cannot be ignored that the council approved Resolution 1626 authorizing improvements to 600 Garrett Road, a property tied to the treasurer’s family. Whether that action was entirely appropriate or not, the timing raises considerable doubt about his reasons for serving as treasurer. The appearance of seeking approval from all of you may have been the motive. Who knows?”

Vizzarri then read from the former treasurer’s resignation letter, in which Sayduzzaman asked the township to recognize his service.

“What service?” Vizzarri asked. “What contributions? Why ask the municipality — which claims to have no oversight — to issue a public press release?”

A right-to-know request showed that Upper Darby Township had no record of New Hope Home Healthcare paying business privilege taxes to the municipality from 2021 through 2025. State records show the company billed Medicaid $13.5 million from 2019 to 2022. At 1.5 mills on gross revenue, New Hope Home Healthcare could owe Upper Darby approximately $109,000.

Broad + Liberty asked Mayor Ed Brown, former Council President Marion Minick, and Township Administrator and CEO Crandall O. Jones to explain how that was possible. None responded.

When this outlet contacted Sayduzzaman directly, he replied: “Please reach out to Upper Darby’s tax department. I am not treasurer anymore, so don’t bother me anymore by phone, text, or email. Also, I CC’d my lawyer. Next time, before you reach out to me, talk to my lawyer.”

Broad + Liberty then emailed his attorney, David Shafkowitz, who requested the reporter produce a tax invoice for his client’s business. Broad + Liberty sent the RTK response from Jones, who also serves as the township’s right-to-know officer. Shafkowitz said he would speak with his client and follow up. He did not.