Former NYC Council Candidate Charged With Using AI to Create False Endorsements
Jonathan Rinaldi, a City Council candidate in Queens, was charged with forgery for allegedly using AI to create and distribute false political endorsements and fabricated news articles on social media to mislead voters. The charges allege he created fake images and videos depicting support from organizations and institutions that had not endorsed him, and falsified news articles using legitimate news outlets' branding.
What happened
Jonathan Rinaldi, a former City Council candidate for District 29 in Queens, was charged with forgery and criminal possession of forged instruments for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create and distribute false political endorsements and fabricated news articles during his 2025 campaign.
Between January 17 and November 4, 2025, Rinaldi allegedly posted AI-generated images on Facebook and Instagram depicting endorsements from individuals and organizations that had not actually endorsed his candidacy, and created fraudulent news articles using legitimate news organization logos and branding.
In one instance, Rinaldi allegedly altered an endorsement sheet using the Queens Jewish Alliance logo to falsely replace the incumbent council member's endorsement with his own name.
Reported impact
The alleged scheme affected elected officials, non-profit organizations, public institutions and news outlets whose names, logos and branding were used without authorization in the fabricated materials.
The District Attorney stated that Rinaldi used the fraudulent materials to deliberately mislead voters ahead of a City Council election and launch fabricated attacks against his opponent.
Index analysis
The case involves the use of AI technology to generate images and text that impersonated legitimate endorsements and news reporting in order to manipulate voters, raising concerns about election integrity and the potential for AI-generated synthetic media to undermine democratic processes.
Governance controls
The investigation was conducted by the Queens District Attorney's Crime Strategies and Intelligence and Public Corruption Bureaus using court-authorized subpoenas and search warrants to identify the AI-generated content and link it to Rinaldi's accounts.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.