New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is facing serious legal scrutiny after two criminal referrals were filed against him on Tuesday. The filings allege that his campaign illegally accepted donations from foreign contributors.
The complaints were submitted by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation to both the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The watchdog group claims potential violations of federal and state election laws.
According to the foundation, Mamdani’s campaign may have breached the Federal Election Campaign Act and the New York Election Code by accepting contributions from individuals outside the United States.
These allegations follow an investigation by the New York Post, which revealed the campaign had collected nearly $13,000 from at least 170 donors with foreign addresses. Some donations reportedly came from as far as Dubai.
“These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors,” said Dan Backer, president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. “This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race.”
Backer emphasized that the campaign had been notified months earlier about impermissible donations but allegedly failed to take sufficient action to prevent further violations.
The foundation has previously filed complaints against high-profile political figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, highlighting its focus on campaign finance compliance.
According to the group, the questionable donations originated from multiple countries, including Australia, Turkey, France, Canada, and Germany, suggesting a systematic failure to follow campaign finance regulations.
Under federal law, it is illegal for any campaign to accept contributions from foreign nationals in elections at any level, with violations potentially resulting in hefty fines or imprisonment.
“The law is crystal clear that foreign nationals may not participate in American elections,” Backer reiterated. “Yet Mamdani’s campaign reportedly accepted contributions from individuals abroad.”
Records indicate that while some foreign donations were refunded, at least 88 contributions totaling $7,190 remain unreturned, raising concerns about campaign compliance and transparency.
Mamdani’s campaign has raised approximately $4 million in private contributions, in addition to $12.7 million in public matching funds, leaving it well-financed despite the emerging controversy.
Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec defended the practices, noting that some disputed donations may have come from U.S. citizens residing overseas, who are legally allowed to contribute.
“The campaign maintains a rigorous compliance process, including verification protocols,” Pekec said. “Any impermissible donations are promptly refunded.”
Despite these assurances, the controversy threatens to overshadow Mamdani’s lead in the polls, where he remains ahead of former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Political opponents have also seized on the situation. Rep. Elise Stefanik sharply criticized Governor Kathy Hochul for endorsing Mamdani, citing alleged extremist connections from his past.
Stefanik labeled Mamdani a “jihadist” due to his previous meeting with Siraj Wahhaj, an imam linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, further fueling political backlash.
The criminal referrals, combined with media scrutiny and political attacks, pose a serious challenge for Mamdani’s campaign, which must now defend its fundraising practices under intense public observation.
Experts warn that any formal DOJ investigation could significantly disrupt campaign operations, diverting resources and attention from voter outreach in the final weeks before Election Day.
Mamdani, a self-described socialist, has remained publicly focused on policy issues such as housing, climate action, and social programs, emphasizing the needs of New Yorkers over personal attacks.
His supporters argue that the donations in question are largely technical errors and that the campaign has shown good faith in addressing the discrepancies by returning funds when necessary.
Critics counter that accepting foreign contributions, even inadvertently, undermines the integrity of local elections and erodes public trust in the democratic process.
With less than a month before voters head to the polls, the unfolding legal situation could define the mayoral race and shape perceptions of accountability in New York City politics.
Analysts note that campaign finance compliance is closely monitored nationwide, and cases involving foreign contributions can have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate election.
As investigations continue, Mamdani’s campaign faces the dual challenge of maintaining voter confidence while navigating the potential legal ramifications of these allegations, leaving the city and its voters watching closely.