NEW YORK – In a bombshell revelation that could derail his frontrunner status, newly obtained New York City Campaign Finance Board records show Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in potentially illegal foreign donations, including contributions from his Dubai-based mother-in-law and donors in Australia, Canada, and Germany. The leftist socialist, leading polls ahead of the November 4 election, now faces mounting calls for refunds, investigations, and even criminal probes as rivals accuse him of flouting federal and city laws barring non-citizen contributions.
The filings, reviewed by the New York Post and obtained through public records requests, reveal at least 170 donations from abroad among 54,000 total contributions totaling $4 million in private funds—plus $12.7 million in public matching dollars. Of these, 88 remain unreturned, worth $7,190. Standouts include a $500 check from Bariah Dardari, Mamdani’s mother-in-law and a Dubai pediatrician, returned the same day it was flagged. Other notable sums: $2,100 from Dubai investor Ada Diaz Ahmed, $2,500 from Australian environmental scientist James Furlaud at the University of Tasmania, $250 from German donor Ugur Macit in Muhlheim am Main, and $100 from Canadian physician Ahmed Enbya in Calgary.
Mamdani’s campaign, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment, pledged Saturday to “return any donations not in compliance with CFB law.” A spokesperson cited “clerical oversights” in a high-pressure cycle but offered no timeline for the remaining refunds. Under NYC rules, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents can donate; knowing acceptance risks fines up to $10,000 per violation or jail time.
Rivals pounced. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, locked in a tight race, blasted the scandal on social media: “My campaign was denied matching funds over baseless allegations, while Mamdani’s received millions after $13,000 in illegal foreign donations. The bias is undeniable.” Republican Curtis Sliwa warned of “dark money” funnels: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire—probably a lot more foreign cash. It’s a license to illegally funnel money.” Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, echoing past jabs at Mamdani’s “affordable housing” living, called for a DOJ probe.
The donations surged in June, coinciding with Mamdani’s upset Democratic primary win over Adams and Cuomo. Critics tie it to his progressive platform on housing and policing, suggesting foreign interests in NYC’s global hub. The CFB is auditing all campaigns but declined specifics. With early voting underway, this “lock him up” furor—fueled by Mamdani’s DSA ties and pro-Palestine stance—could erode his 12-point lead, per Siena polls. Is it sloppy bookkeeping or sinister influence? As refunds trickle, the frontrunner’s path to Gracie Mansion grows thornier.
