Exclusive | Controversial Mamdani-backed NY-13 candidate doles out seemingly illegal freebies, from ice cream to World Cup tix
A controversial lefty New York congressional candidate is offering covered World Cup tickets to campaign volunteers — and free ice cream to early voters — seemingly running afoul of federal election laws, and potentially FIFA, The Post has learned.Experts said the freebies offered by Darializa Avila Chevalier’s insurgent campaign appear to violate Federal Election Commission guidelines that strictly prohibit rewarding volunteers with perks and offering payment, including free food, in exchange for voter turnout.“It sounds like they are paying people to vote, which is, of course, unlawful,” said Fordham Law Professor Jerry Goldfeder. The campaign for the Democratic Socialists of America challenger — who is running to unseat longtime Rep.Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th House District — posted the ice cream offer on Instagram Thursday.“Ice cream for NY-13 early voters!” the emoji-riddled post said, with instructions: “Vote early and keep your sticker! “On Friday the 19th, come to a West, Central, or East Harlem canvass and show your sticker to one of our field leads to get a Sugar Hill Creamery token.
Use the token at Sugar Hill Creamery for a free cup of ice cream!!”It adds: “*Toppings, cones, or other extras at additional expense,” along with a red heart emoji.One day earlier, Avila Chevalier, on her official campaign X account, announced that four volunteers would have the chance to win prized seats to the Panama vs.England World Cup match on June 27.“Canvass for Darializa for a chance to win prime seat tickets at the World Cup,” the post read, instructing volunteers to collect trading cards for each completed canvassing shift in exchange for entry to the raffle.
“10 cards = automatic raffle entry.”Paying or offering an expenditure or gift in exchange for voting is a federal crime.The Department of Justice defines a “payment” as anything carrying monetary value – such as free food. The FEC also sets strict rules ...