In a flagrant violation of campaign finance laws, the campaign of far-left Democrat Zohran Mamdani has reportedly accepted approximately $13,000 through 170 foreign donations.
As reported by the New York Post, this act of defiance comes despite the fact that only American citizens and permanent legal residents are legally permitted to contribute to political campaigns. Violators of this law risk hefty fines and potential imprisonment.
According to the Western Journal, the Mamdani campaign still held onto 88 foreign donations, totaling $7,190, as of Sunday. While the campaign has pledged to return the funds, it has failed to provide an explanation for the delay. This situation has raised concerns among political observers, including Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. "Where there's smoke, there's fire, so I would be very concerned," Sliwa stated.
He further suggested that there might be "a lot more in terms of foreign money" and called for a federal investigation into potential foreign cash inflows into super PACs supporting Mamdani. "It's very problematic, not just for Zohran Mamdani, but anybody who has these kinds of PACs, because it's a license to illegally funnel money," Sliwa warned.
The top foreign donors to Mamdani's campaign hail from diverse locations such as Dubai, Germany, Canada, and Australia. Among them is James Furlaud, an environmental scientist at Australia's University of Tasmania, who donated $2,100. Another notable donor is Ada Diaz Ahmed, a Dubai-based investor, who also contributed $2,100 in September.
The New York Post also highlighted that the Mamdani campaign has a history of relying on out-of-city funds, with 53 percent of donations from July 12 through August 18 originating outside of New York City. This reliance on foreign and out-of-city funds raises questions about the campaign's commitment to local constituents and adherence to campaign finance laws.
Adding to the campaign's woes, Mamdani's far-left agenda received a stinging rebuke from The Washington Post's Editorial Board. The board criticized Mamdani's proposal for free bus service, noting that "there is no such thing as a free bus." They pointed out that Mamdani's plan, which includes making buses quicker and adding more stops, would cost nearly $800 million annually. The board also cautioned that such a scheme could lead to increased crime and vandalism on buses, as seen in cities that have attempted similar initiatives.
The Washington Post's critique of Mamdani's proposal underscores the potential pitfalls of offering services for 'free.' The board warned that "quality inevitably declines when a service is offered for 'free.'" They predicted that New York's buses could become havens for vagrants and drug addicts, particularly during the winter months. This could lead to wealthier residents seeking alternative transportation, leaving the city's most vulnerable citizens to bear the brunt of the policy's negative effects.
As the election draws near, these controversies surrounding Mamdani's campaign serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to campaign finance laws and the potential consequences of promoting unrealistic policy proposals.
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