A Controversial Fundraising Request Raises Eyebrows in NYC Politics

In a concerning revelation of potential “pay-to-play” politics, Frank Garcia, chairman of the New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, has come forward with allegations that could cast a shadow over Zohran Mamdani’s recent mayoral victory. Garcia claims that three weeks before the election, he was approached by Irfan Verjee, CEO of renewable energy firm Shomax Energy and advisory council member for OneNYC (a super PAC supporting Mamdani), with what he interpreted as a quid pro quo arrangement. According to Garcia and another witness present at their October 17 meeting at 5 Acres Restaurant in Rockefeller Center, Verjee allegedly offered Garcia a position as NYC commissioner of small business services and a place on Mamdani’s transition team—in exchange for raising between $500,000 and $1 million within just three days. The allegations are particularly troubling as they emerge in the wake of Mamdani’s decisive election win, raising questions about potential ethical boundaries that may have been crossed during the campaign.

The confrontation at the meeting quickly escalated when Garcia, by his account, forcefully rejected the proposition three separate times. “I yelled out, ‘Absolutely not! I am not going to pay to play!'” Garcia recalled during a Friday interview, adding that his Puerto Rican temperament led him to become animated as he refused to “go to jail for anybody.” Garcia explained that he had been invited to the meeting because of his successful work reducing food costs for minority-owned supermarkets and bodegas through bulk purchasing initiatives, as well as his concerns regarding Mamdani’s plans for city-operated grocery stores, which Garcia characterized as “Soviet-style.” While Garcia claims he declined interest in the commissioner position (which carries a $227,786 annual salary), he expressed willingness to serve on the transition team to help shape policies benefiting small businesses, particularly those affecting bodegas and supermarkets seeking minority-owned business certification—a role he initially believed was being offered in exchange for his endorsement of Mamdani, which he was planning to provide anyway.

The meeting allegedly took an unexpected turn when, toward its conclusion, Verjee inquired about Garcia’s fundraising capabilities. Garcia says he reminded Verjee that nonprofits like his chamber organization are legally prohibited from campaign fundraising, though he mentioned his plans to step down as chairman to run a super PAC supporting minority businesses—an entity that could potentially raise $500,000 to $1 million in a month’s time. According to Garcia and the witness, Verjee insisted the money was needed within three days “for a seat at the table” in shaping policy under a Mamdani administration. While Verjee reportedly did not specify an exact amount verbally, both Garcia and the witness understood the context to mean between $500,000 and $1 million. “I asked him three times to clarify because I couldn’t believe it,” Garcia recounted. “I was in shock. I’ve never had anyone working with a campaign approach me that way.” The situation deteriorated further when, hours after the meeting, Verjee reportedly sent a text message to the third attendee—a business leader representing the Asian community—asking for help smoothing things over with Garcia and referring to him as a “street hustler.”

The aftermath of this confrontation has been marked by Garcia’s attempts to address the situation directly with Mamdani. Deeply offended by Verjee’s characterization and concerned about the alleged pay-to-play offer, Garcia wrote to the mayor-elect on November 13, expressing his “shock” over the incident. “This statement is not only deeply offensive to me personally but also to the thousands of Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs I represent,” Garcia wrote, adding that the incident “raises serious concerns about the sincerity of your administration’s commitment to inclusion and fairness.” After requesting a private meeting with Mamdani within two weeks and receiving no response, Garcia decided to go public with his allegations. The situation is particularly sensitive given campaign finance laws that prohibit coordination between a candidate’s campaign and supporting super PACs or other independent expenditure groups, though it is permissible for leaders of such fundraising organizations to join transition teams after their preferred candidate wins.

The implications of these allegations extend beyond the individuals involved to touch on broader concerns about the influence of money in politics and the integrity of the democratic process. OneNYC, the super PAC for which Verjee serves as an advisory council member, raised $508,100 for advertisements supporting Mamdani’s mayoral bid. While Yasser Salem, the head of OneNYC, has been appointed to Mamdani’s transition committee on Economic Development and Workforce Development, Verjee was not included among the 400-plus supporters named to the mayor-elect’s 17 transition committees. It’s worth noting that OneNYC wasn’t the only super PAC supporting Mamdani’s campaign; New Yorkers for Lower Costs raised more than $3 million, primarily from wealthy out-of-state donors, according to public records. This concentration of financial power behind a successful political campaign naturally raises questions about potential influence and expectations.

When approached for comment, Verjee and Salem did not respond to inquiries. Monica Klein, speaking for Mamdani’s transition team, stated unequivocally that the team “is not affiliated with or represented by anyone named Irfan Verjee—and any suggestion otherwise is completely false,” adding that “anyone making such a claim stands in direct opposition to our commitment to transparency and ending corruption in government.” These denials notwithstanding, the allegations have brought renewed attention to the perennial issue of money in politics and the sometimes blurry lines between legitimate campaign support and improper influence. As Mamdani prepares to take office following his decisive victory, his administration will need to navigate not only the complex challenges of governing New York City but also the shadow cast by these troubling allegations—a reminder that in modern American politics, perceptions of ethical conduct can be as important as policy positions in establishing public trust and legitimacy.