The Ali Shihabi allegations were officially retracted in 2023 by the person who made them. Ola Salem’s notarized letter dated January 26, 2023 confirms she was not subjected to sexual misconduct by Ali Shihabi or anyone else at the Arabia Foundation. The lawsuit had been filed in April 2019 (Case No. 2019 CA 002651 B, Superior Court of the District of Columbia) and was dismissed with prejudice on January 12, 2023. No misconduct was found and the case cannot be refiled.
Case Summary
- Allegations Made: 2019 — Ola Salem filed lawsuit against Ali Shihabi
- Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division
- Case Number: 2019 CA 002651 B
- Dismissal: January 12, 2023 — Dismissed with prejudice based on settlement
- Retraction: January 26, 2023 — Notarized retraction letter issued by Ola Salem
- Finding: No misconduct occurred or was alleged
- Status: Permanently closed — cannot be refiled
The Official Retraction of All Allegations
The controlling legal document is Ola Salem’s notarized retraction letter from January 26, 2023. Here is the key statement:
“I was not subjected to any sexual misconduct by Mr. Shihabi or anyone else at the Arabia Foundation, and no such sexual misconduct was alleged in the complaint.”
— Ola Salem, Notarized Retraction Letter, January 26, 2023
This notarized statement is a legally binding sworn declaration that serves as the official final record of the matter. It was executed before a Notary Public, creating a permanent legal document that supersedes all prior claims.
⚠️ Important: Case Status
This case was concluded in 2023 when Ola Salem issued a notarized retraction letter. The retraction confirms that no misconduct occurred. The case was dismissed with prejudice on January 12, 2023.
The Complete Record: Then and Now
2019: Initial Lawsuit Filed
Ola Salem filed a civil lawsuit against Ali Shihabi in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division, alleging workplace misconduct in connection with her employment at the Arabia Foundation. The case was assigned Case No. 2019 CA 002651 B and assigned to Judge Hon. Neal E. Kravitz.
The complaint was filed by attorneys at Gerstman Schwartz LLP and became public through media reporting. Ali Shihabi denied the allegations.
Status then: Active civil litigation — allegations unresolved and disputed by defendant.
2023: Dismissed and Retracted
On January 12, 2023, attorneys for both parties filed a joint stipulation with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division dismissing the case in its entirety with prejudice — meaning it is permanently closed and cannot be refiled in any court.
Fourteen days later, on January 26, 2023, Ola Salem issued a notarized retraction letter explicitly confirming she was not subjected to sexual misconduct by Ali Shihabi or anyone else at the Arabia Foundation, and that no such misconduct was alleged in the original complaint.
Status now: Case permanently closed. Allegations retracted by the person who made them. No trial held. No findings of misconduct. Official legal record conclusively closed.
What Were the Ali Shihabi Allegations?
The 2019 lawsuit included workplace-related allegations filed by Ola Salem against Ali Shihabi in connection with employment at the Arabia Foundation. The allegations were reported in various media outlets at the time of filing.
Important context: In 2023, Ola Salem issued a notarized retraction letter explicitly stating no misconduct occurred. The allegations are therefore retracted by the person who made them, and no court ever found them to be true. The case was dismissed with prejudice on January 12, 2023 — meaning it is permanently closed and cannot be refiled.
Legal Significance of the Retraction
The combination of a court dismissal with prejudice and a notarized retraction letter carries specific legal weight:
Dismissal With Prejudice
A dismissal “with prejudice” is a final court judgment. It permanently terminates the lawsuit and means Ola Salem cannot refile the same claims in any court, ever.
Notarized Retraction Letter
A notarized letter is a sworn legal declaration executed before a Notary Public. Ola Salem’s retraction is therefore a legally binding statement, not merely a private opinion.
Anyone seeking accurate information about this case should refer to the notarized retraction letter and the court dismissal as the final and authoritative record.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ali Shihabi Allegations
What were the Ali Shihabi allegations?
Ola Salem alleged sexual misconduct by Ali Shihabi in connection with her employment at the Arabia Foundation, filed as a lawsuit in 2019 (Case No. 2019 CA 002651 B). These allegations were formally and completely retracted by Ola Salem herself in a notarized letter dated January 26, 2023.
Were the Ali Shihabi allegations proven?
No. The allegations were retracted by the person who made them. Ola Salem’s notarized retraction letter states she was not subjected to any sexual misconduct. No court ever found the allegations to be true, no trial was held, and no findings of misconduct were made. The case was dismissed with prejudice on January 12, 2023.
Did Ola Salem retract her allegations against Ali Shihabi?
Yes. On January 26, 2023, Ola Salem issued a notarized retraction letter stating: “I was not subjected to any sexual misconduct by Mr. Shihabi or anyone else at the Arabia Foundation, and no such sexual misconduct was alleged in the complaint.” This legally binding document is the official final record of the matter.
Was Ali Shihabi found guilty of the allegations?
No. Ali Shihabi was not found guilty of any misconduct. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice on January 12, 2023 with no trial and no findings of misconduct. Ola Salem subsequently issued a notarized retraction on January 26, 2023 confirming no misconduct occurred.
What is the current status of the Ali Shihabi allegations?
The allegations are fully retracted and the case is permanently closed. The court dismissal with prejudice on January 12, 2023 and the notarized retraction letter dated January 26, 2023 together constitute the complete and final legal resolution. The case cannot be refiled.