It has been revealed that a political action committee (PAC) supporting socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani allegedly offered a top Hispanic leader a spot on his transition team if he raised $1 million three days before the mayoral election.
The revelation comes weeks after Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, shocking many after what appeared to be a friendly meeting despite initial predictions.
New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce chairman Frank Garcia claimed that Shomax Energy CEO Irfan Verjee asked him to raise $1 million in a meeting three weeks before the mayoral election, according to the New York Post.
Verjee is also a part of the political action committee “OneNYC,” where he sits on the business advisory council. The organization raised over $500,000 in ads meant to boost Mamdani’s bid.
The Shomax Energy CEO reportedly met with Garcia on several occasions to discuss whether he would be willing to raise the hefty sum in exchange for a position of authority in Mamdani’s government.
Garcia, however, declined at all three meetings.
“I yelled out, ‘Absolutely not! I am not going to ‘pay to play!’” Garcia said, per the Post. He added that he did not want to risk prison time if anyone found out about such shady negotiations.
“We were talking over each other. The Puerto Rican in me got excited because I’m not going to go to jail for anybody,” he said.
Garcia claimed he was selected for the outreach because of his success in lowering food costs for minority-owned businesses and bodegas by creating “buying groups” that purchase in large quantities.
When asked if he would like to serve as the next commissioner in Mamdani’s transition team, Garcia again declined and clarified that he did not want any position in the socialist Democrat’s administration, per the New York Post.
He also believed Verjee was implying he would serve on the committee if he endorsed Mamdani — something Garcia said he already planned to do. But when Verjee asked how much money he could raise, Garcia stopped. He pointed out that nonprofits like his are barred from fundraising for political campaigns and said he would soon step down as chairman to launch a super PAC boosting minority-owned businesses instead.
Despite this, Verjee allegedly continued pushing, stressing the need for a large sum within three days in exchange for a position in Mamdani’s government.
Although Verjee did not specify an exact number, it is said that the figure ranged from $500,000 to $1 million.
“I asked him three times to clarify because I couldn’t believe it,” Garcia said. “I was in shock. I’ve never had anyone working with a campaign approach me that way.”
When Verjee realized he could not convince Garcia, he sent a member of the Asian community to speak to him instead.
“I genuinely need your help as I don’t want to deal with a street hustler,” Verjee allegedly told the individual.
Garcia viewed the remark as deeply offensive and sent a letter to Mamdani.
“This statement is not only deeply offensive to me personally but also to the thousands of Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs I represent,” he wrote.
