A new report by the New York Post reveals that left-wing mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s campaign quietly accepted nearly $13,000 in potentially illegal foreign donations, including one contribution from his mother-in-law in Dubai.
Records from the New York City Campaign Finance Board show that at least 170 of Mamdani’s nearly 54,000 donations came from individuals listing addresses outside the United States.
Under federal and state law, only American citizens and permanent legal residents can contribute to political campaigns.
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Candidates who accept foreign donations must return them immediately, and those who knowingly retain them may face fines or criminal penalties.
Despite these rules, Mamdani’s campaign has yet to return 88 foreign donations totaling $7,190.
His team stated that any contributions not compliant with campaign finance law would be refunded, but did not explain why the funds remain unreturned weeks later.
Among the contributors was Mamdani’s mother-in-law, Dr. Bariah Dardari, a pediatrician based in Dubai, who donated $500 to his campaign earlier this year.
The campaign returned the donation the same day, but the discovery drew attention to how easily foreign-linked money can flow into New York City politics.
Mamdani, a self-described socialist and one of the most prominent members of the Democrat Socialists of America, has raised over $4 million in private donations and received an additional $12.7 million in public matching funds.
He currently holds about $6.1 million in cash reserves as the city’s election approaches.
Financial disclosures also reveal that a large share of Mamdani’s support base lies outside the United States and even beyond New York City.
Foreign donors include professionals in countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, ranging from software developers to doctors, academics, and investors.
Contributions varied from small-dollar amounts to the maximum $2,100.
Among the largest donors was Australian environmental scientist James Furlaud, who pledged $2,100 to Mamdani’s campaign.
Other foreign contributors include a Dubai-based investor, a software engineer in Germany, and a physician in Canada.
While some foreign individuals may have dual citizenship and therefore be permitted to contribute, many others clearly do not meet eligibility standards.
The large number of international donations raises concerns about transparency and the campaign’s internal screening procedures.
Mamdani’s campaign remains under review as election auditors evaluate donations across all candidates.
With less than a month before Election Day, the controversy underscores broader concerns about foreign influence and the lack of oversight in local campaign finance systems.
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