Former NYC Council Candidate Charged With Forgery Over AI Posts
10 reported
A former New York City City Council candidate has been charged with forgery for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create fake endorsements and news articles on social media. Jonathan Rinaldi, 47, was arrested outside his home Wednesday and could face up to two years in prison if convicted. He ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a council seat from Queens last year. Rinaldi called the charges a matter of free speech, stating he would not confirm or deny making the posts. The Queens district attorney’s complaint alleges Rinaldi used AI to generate doctored photos and videos, including a fake New York Post story and an endorsement from the Queens Jewish Alliance. The charges involve third-degree forgery and possession of forged instruments, laws that predate AI. A New York law adopted in 2024 requires disclosure of deepfakes in campaign materials and allows targeted candidates to seek court orders blocking their dissemination.
What’s reported
Jonathan Rinaldi was arrested Wednesday and charged with forgery for allegedly using AI to post fake endorsements and news articles on social media.
He could face up to two years in prison if convicted.
Rinaldi ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a Queens City Council seat last year.
The complaint alleges he posted a fake endorsement from the Queens Jewish Alliance using its authentic logo.
The head of the Queens Jewish Alliance confronted Rinaldi in a recorded phone call; Rinaldi responded, “When you are trying to fight against the establishment, I have to use every available tool that’s at my disposal.”
Another post fabricated a New York Post story claiming then-Council Member Robert Holden endorsed him, accompanied by a doctored photo generated by AI with the prompt “face swap the man on the left.”
The district attorney’s complaint also alleges Rinaldi used AI to generate photos of his opponent Lynn Schulman wearing a shirt reading “Hot Girls for Zohran,” referencing Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Rinaldi also posted AI-generated videos appearing to show endorsements from a police precinct and an elementary school, which do not allow political endorsements.
Rinaldi was on the ballot in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for state Assembly, where he was defeated by incumbent Andrew Hevesi.
Hevesi accused Rinaldi of fraudulently submitting documents to change his party registration; Rinaldi denied submitting the paperwork.
Key figures
Jonathan Rinaldi: former New York City Council candidate, charged with forgery
Melinda Katz: Queens District Attorney
Robert Holden: former New York City Council Member (Democrat)
Lynn Schulman: Democratic opponent of Rinaldi
Zohran Mamdani: Mayor of New York City
Andrew Hevesi: incumbent state Assembly member
Sources: abcnews.com
