Mamdani Referred for Criminal Investigation Over Foreign Campaign Contributions

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, is facing new scrutiny after a watchdog group filed two criminal referrals alleging his campaign took unlawful donations from foreign nationals.

The Coolidge Reagan Foundation submitted complaints to both the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office asserting Mamdani’s campaign may have violated provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act as well as New York election law.

According to the New York Post, Mamdani’s fundraising included nearly $13,000 from about 170 donors with addresses listed outside the United States. Among them, the report noted, was his mother-in-law in Dubai.

Dan Backer, president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation and a national campaign finance attorney, condemned the donations in a statement.

“These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors. This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules.”

Backer argued the campaign had ample warning but failed to act.

"Mamdani's campaign was on notice for months that it was accepting illegal foreign contributions, and yet it did nothing meaningful to stop it."

Federal election law explicitly prohibits contributions from foreign nationals. Backer further warned, “Mamdani's campaign repeatedly accepted donations from individuals abroad, some even tied to regions and individuals openly sympathetic to hostile actors. Whether through negligence or intent, this conduct undermines the integrity of the democratic process.”

While Mamdani’s team has refunded a portion of the contributions, 88 donations worth $7,190 have not yet been returned.

Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec defended the process in place, noting that Americans living overseas are legally permitted to contribute.

“All US citizens and permanent residents, including those who live outside the U.S., are legally permitted to donate to New York City mayoral campaigns under federal campaign finance law and New York State and City law,” she said.

Pekec added that safeguards exist to confirm eligibility.

“The Campaign has a rigorous compliance process in place to ensure compliance with these laws, including a protocol to confirm whether donors with foreign addresses are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The Campaign will promptly issue refunds for any donations that are found to be impermissible.”

The criminal referrals set up potential investigations that could complicate Mamdani’s already controversial mayoral bid.

Promotional Content

Mamdani Referred for Criminal Investigation Over Foreign Campaign Contributions