New York City’s mayoral race has been hit by fresh controversy after Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani was accused of accepting illegal foreign donations, prompting calls for criminal investigations just a week before the election. The allegations were made by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, a conservative campaign finance watchdog, which filed two separate criminal referrals — one with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and another with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Both filings accuse Mamdani’s campaign of violating federal and state election laws by allegedly receiving contributions from foreign nationals.
According to the foundation’s complaint, Mamdani’s campaign reportedly accepted nearly 13,000 U.S. dollars in donations from at least 170 individuals with foreign addresses. Among those listed was a contribution from Mamdani’s mother-in-law, who resides in Dubai. Under federal law, foreign nationals are strictly barred from donating to any American political campaign, including local and municipal elections. The foundation argues that such violations are not administrative oversights but deliberate breaches that compromise electoral integrity.
Dan Backer, president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation and a veteran campaign finance attorney, told Fox News Digital that the scale of the irregularities reflected a systemic problem. “This was not a series of minor mistakes,” he said, adding that the Mamdani campaign had allegedly been aware of the issue for several months but failed to rectify it. The organization is urging prosecutors to investigate whether the campaign knowingly allowed or solicited foreign contributions, which could constitute a criminal act under both federal and state statutes.
In its formal referral, the foundation cited potential breaches of the Federal Election Campaign Act, which governs all political contributions in the United States. It also invoked Section 17.152 of New York’s Election Law, which classifies any conspiracy to promote an election through unlawful means as a misdemeanor offense. The filings urge authorities to act swiftly, describing the alleged conduct as a “serious breach of election integrity.”
Coolidge Reagan Foundation Chairman Shaun McCutcheon issued a statement underscoring the broader implications of the case. “Foreign money in American elections is not just a technical violation — it’s a threat to self-government,” he said, adding that “every illegal dollar dilutes the voice of lawful American voters.” The foundation, known for its aggressive oversight of political fundraising, has previously filed similar complaints against high-profile Democrats such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic National Committee.
As of Tuesday evening, Mamdani’s campaign had not publicly commented on the allegations. The silence has fueled speculation and political tension in what is already one of New York City’s most closely watched elections. With polls showing Mamdani maintaining a narrow lead, the controversy introduces new uncertainty into the final days of campaigning and could have significant implications if prosecutors decide to pursue formal charges before voters head to the polls.
