**NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Faces Criminal Referrals Over Foreign Contributions Allegations**
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing two criminal referrals following allegations that his campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in contributions from donors with foreign addresses, potentially violating federal and local election laws.
The complaints, filed on October 28, 2025, by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation (CRF), indicate that Mamdani’s campaign received at least 170 donations totaling about $13,000 from contributors listing addresses outside the United States. These addresses spanned locations including Australia, Canada, Dubai, France, Germany, and Turkey.
Among the flagged donations was a $500 contribution from Mamdani’s mother-in-law, a pediatrician based in Dubai, which was refunded within four days of being made in January 2025. Another notable donation was a $2,100 contribution in September 2025 from an investor also located in Dubai.
Dan Backer, President of CRF, described the data as revealing a “sustained pattern” of questionable contributions. “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 stated. He added that refunds issued post-donation do not negate potential violations. “The totality of the circumstances indicates likely illegal contributions, even if some donors might be U.S. citizens or green-card holders living abroad,” he said.
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), foreign nationals—defined as individuals who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents—are prohibited from contributing to any U.S. election. These restrictions extend to state and local races as well. Knowingly accepting or soliciting such donations can lead to penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The CRF’s referral to the Department of Justice asserts that Mamdani’s campaign failed to properly vet donors and that the volume of foreign-linked contributions warrants a criminal investigation.
As of mid-October 2025, campaign finance records show Mamdani’s team refunded 91 contributions totaling $5,723.50. However, 88 additional donations amounting to about $7,190 had not yet been returned at the time of reporting.
Shaun McCutcheon, Chairman of CRF, called the donations a “threat to self-government” and urged immediate prosecution, emphasizing that foreign money in U.S. elections “undermines public confidence in the democratic process.”
The Mamdani campaign acknowledged the donations but denied any wrongdoing. Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec stated that all contributions were reviewed through “a rigorous compliance process.” She emphasized that federal, state, and city laws permit U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents living abroad to donate.
“The Campaign has a rigorous compliance process in place,” Pekec said. “Refunds have and will be made.”
According to the campaign, 31 of the 170 questioned donors provided documentation proving U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) determined their contributions were permissible. The remaining 139 donations were refunded.
“Any issue regarding financial contributions has been resolved,” the campaign said in a written statement. “We will, of course, return any donations that are not in compliance with CFB law.”
These allegations come just days before Tuesday’s mayoral election, where Mamdani, a self-described socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, is heavily favored to win. His campaign has reported raising $4 million in private donations and qualifying for $12.7 million in public matching funds under New York City’s campaign finance program.
Mamdani’s opponents include Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Both challengers have called for greater scrutiny of campaign fundraising practices and transparency in donor reporting.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/socialist-nyc-mayoral-candidate-mamdani-faces-two-criminal-investigations-watch/
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