New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is under scrutiny after the Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed two criminal referrals accusing him of accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions. The complaints, submitted to the Department of Justice and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, allege violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and New York Election Code. According to the filings, Mamdani’s campaign received nearly $13,000 from at least 170 foreign donors, including one contribution from his mother-in-law in Dubai. The foundation claimed this represented a “sustained pattern” of unlawful fundraising and a “systematic failure to comply” with campaign finance rules.
Federal and state laws strictly prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. elections, with violations carrying potential criminal penalties. While Mamdani’s campaign has refunded some disputed donations, records indicate that 88 contributions worth $7,190 remain unreturned. Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec defended Mamdani, explaining that some of the donations came from U.S. citizens residing overseas, which is permissible under election law. She added that the campaign is reviewing donor eligibility and will issue refunds where necessary to ensure full compliance with regulations.
Financially, Mamdani’s campaign remains strong, having raised roughly $4 million in private donations and secured an additional $12.7 million in public matching funds, leaving $6.1 million in cash on hand just weeks before Election Day. Despite the controversy, he continues to lead in polls ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, maintaining his status as the race’s frontrunner.
The allegations have intensified political tensions. Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul for endorsing Mamdani, citing his prior associations with controversial figures such as Siraj Wahhaj, linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing investigation. As both federal and local investigations move forward, the case underscores growing concerns about campaign finance transparency and election integrity in New York City politics.
