Mamdani Faces DOJ Referrals; Campaign Says Donors Cleared

The conservative watchdog Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed criminal referrals with the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleging Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in contributions from about 170 donors with addresses outside the U.S., including a reported donation from his mother‑in‑law in Dubai. Some contributions were returned, while outlets cited by the referrals say roughly 88 donations totaling about $7,190 remained outstanding. The foundation, led by Dan Backer, urged prosecutors to investigate potential violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and New York election law, calling the inflows a “sustained pattern” that could undermine election integrity. The Mamdani campaign responded that many donors may be U.S. citizens living abroad, that 31 donors have been proven eligible and deemed permissible by the New York City Campaign Finance Board, and that remaining disputed contributions were refunded. The referrals were filed on the eve of the high‑stakes mayoral election and could prompt federal and local inquiries to determine whether any violations merit charges.