BREAKING NEWS: @ZohranKMamdani was just hit with a complaint to the Federal Election Commission, filed by a prominent investigative journalist! Details below.
Award-winning investigative journalist Tina Dupuy said: “When I read the disclosures, I noted a couple of patterns and details that are well-known red flags for straw donors schemes."
According to the complaint and filings, this pro-Mamdani SuperPAC’s public disclosures with the NYCCFB have several red flags that together warrant further investigation:
Red Flag Number One: Two employees of Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a 501(c)(3) long suspected of ties to terrorists are treasurers of a SuperPAC, the Unity & Justice Fund (UJF), which donated $100,000 to New Yorkers for Lower Costs supporting Mamdani. Because one of these employees serves as a CAIR chapter director, the arrangement raises the appearance of a charitable endorsement, which is prohibited by law. If any 501(c)(3) resources were used in connection with the fundraising, that too would violate federal restrictions. Most importantly, the structure could create the impression that CAIR itself is soliciting funds for Mr. Mamdani – a form of political activity that would be unlawful for a 501(c)(3).
Red Flag Number Two: Multiple people who are listed as unemployed donated up to $50,000. While they’re free to do so with their own money, these donations suggest there could be a straw donor scheme. Donating to a campaign or political committee must be from the individual's own personal money and not another funding source. These straw donor schemes can hide foreign money and foreign influence in our elections.
Red Flag Number Three: One individual with ties to two nonprofit organizations contributed a total of $151,500 through multiple donations made over just eight days. Nonprofits have been a device in previous straw donor schemes.
According to the complaint and filings, this pro-Mamdani SuperPAC’s public disclosures with the NYCCFB have several red flags that together warrant further investigation:
Red Flag Number One: Two employees of Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a 501(c)(3) long suspected of ties to terrorists are treasurers of a SuperPAC, the Unity & Justice Fund (UJF), which donated $100,000 to New Yorkers for Lower Costs supporting Mamdani. Because one of these employees serves as a CAIR chapter director, the arrangement raises the appearance of a charitable endorsement, which is prohibited by law. If any 501(c)(3) resources were used in connection with the fundraising, that too would violate federal restrictions. Most importantly, the structure could create the impression that CAIR itself is soliciting funds for Mr. Mamdani – a form of political activity that would be unlawful for a 501(c)(3).
Red Flag Number Two: Multiple people who are listed as unemployed donated up to $50,000. While they’re free to do so with their own money, these donations suggest there could be a straw donor scheme. Donating to a campaign or political committee must be from the individual's own personal money and not another funding source. These straw donor schemes can hide foreign money and foreign influence in our elections.
Red Flag Number Three: One individual with ties to two nonprofit organizations contributed a total of $151,500 through multiple donations made over just eight days. Nonprofits have been a device in previous straw donor schemes.
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