Democratic socialist and current NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is under fire after an explosive report revealed his campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in potentially illegal foreign contributions — including $500 from his own mother-in-law living in Dubai.
According to a New York City Campaign Finance Board review and reporting by the New York Post, at least 170 donations came from individuals with foreign addresses — a direct violation of federal, state, and local laws that prohibit non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents from contributing to political campaigns. The donations, which include contributions from professionals in Canada, Germany, Australia, and the UAE, raise serious concerns about the legality — and integrity — of Mamdani’s campaign operation.
While Mamdani’s campaign claimed it would return any donations not in compliance with campaign finance law, records show 88 of those donations — totaling $7,190 — still haven’t been returned. A spokesperson declined to explain why.
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Among the foreign donors:
- James Furlaud, an environmental scientist in Australia – $2,100
- Ada Diaz Ahmed, a Dubai-based investor – $2,100
- Jun-Dai Bates Kobashigawa, a Canadian software developer – $250
- Ugur Macit, a German software engineer – $250
- Ahmed Enbya, a Calgary physician – $100
GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa blasted Mamdani, saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. There is probably a lot more in terms of foreign money,” and raised alarms over possible dark money and foreign influence quietly flowing into Mamdani’s $4 million campaign, which has also received a staggering $12.7 million in public matching funds.
This isn’t the only cloud hanging over Mamdani’s candidacy. Former governor and independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo previously accused Mamdani of exploiting NYC’s housing system by living in rent-stabilized housing meant for low-income residents — despite his wealth. Cuomo proposed “Zohran’s Law” to stop the affluent from stealing affordable units.
“You are a rich person stealing affordable housing from the poor,” Cuomo wrote. “Let’s build a new NYC that works for the people who need it.”
With less than a month until Election Day, Mamdani — a self-described “Democratic Socialist” — finds himself at the center of a growing storm of campaign finance violations, ethics questions, and elitist hypocrisy.
The NYC Campaign Finance Board says it is auditing all campaigns — but declined further comment.
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