What began as a standard campaign season—posters, fundraisers, and policy announcements dominating the headlines—has taken a surprising turn.
Behind the public displays of political ambition, a trail of international contributions has emerged, raising serious questions about legality, oversight, and the integrity of the mayoral race.
Zohran Mamdani, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, is now facing criminal referrals alleging that his campaign accepted unlawful donations from foreign contributors.
On Tuesday, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation submitted two referrals to the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, citing potential violations of both the Federal Election Campaign Act and the New York Election Code.
The concerns follow reports that Mamdani’s campaign received roughly $13,000 from at least 170 donors residing outside the United States, including one contribution from his mother-in-law in Dubai.
“These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors,” said Dan Backer, a national campaign finance attorney and president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. “This represents a sustained pattern of foreign money entering a New York City mayoral race, a clear breach of both federal law and local campaign finance rules. The campaign was on notice for months, yet no meaningful steps were taken to halt these contributions.”
The Coolidge Reagan Foundation has previously filed complaints against high-profile Democratic figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, and the Democratic National Committee. In Mamdani’s case, the group has urged both the DOJ and Manhattan DA to investigate and, if warranted, pursue legal action regarding contributions potentially originating from Australia.
Conclusion
As investigations continue, Mamdani’s campaign faces heightened scrutiny over potentially unlawful foreign donations. Beyond the legal implications, the case underscores the importance of transparency in campaign finance and could have lasting consequences for both the candidate and the integrity of New York City’s mayoral race.