Zohran Mamdani, a leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race, is facing serious allegations after the Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed two criminal referrals against him. The foundation claims that Mamdani accepted nearly $13,000 in illegal contributions from foreign donors, which could violate the Federal Election Campaign Act and New York Election Code. These referrals were submitted to the Department of Justice and the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

The foundation's president, Dan Backer, stated, "These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors. This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race, which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules." He emphasized that Mamdani's campaign had been aware of the illegal contributions for months but failed to take appropriate action.

Mamdani's campaign reportedly received donations from at least 170 individuals with addresses outside the United States, including contributions from countries like Australia, Turkey, and France. Notably, one donation came from his mother-in-law in Dubai. Backer pointed out that accepting foreign contributions is strictly prohibited, stating, "The law is crystal clear that foreign nationals may not participate in American elections, and that includes making contributions."

In response to the allegations, Mamdani's campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, argued that some of the questioned donations might have originated from Americans living abroad. She asserted, "All US citizens and permanent residents, including those who live outside the US, are legally permitted to donate to New York City mayoral campaigns under federal campaign finance law and New York State and City law."

While Mamdani's campaign has returned some foreign contributions, records indicate that at least 88 donations, totaling around $7,190, have not been refunded. The campaign has raised approximately $4 million in private donations and received $12.7 million in public matching funds, leaving them with about $6.1 million in cash on hand as the election approaches on November 4.

This controversy comes at a critical time for Mamdani, who has recently been leading in polls against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this situation will depend on whether investigators find evidence of intent or negligence in accepting the foreign donations. If deemed serious, Mamdani could face significant penalties, but if he can demonstrate good faith and prompt refunds, the consequences may be less severe. The Justice Department and the Manhattan DA's office have yet to announce whether they will investigate the referrals further.