Paper-hunting journalist sues over Mamdani stall

A veteran investigative reporter and one of New York City’s best-known lawyers are taking Mayor Zohran Mamdani to court, accusing his administration of dragging its feet on requests for records tied to Israel and antisemitism policies scrapped on his first day in office.

Journalist Richard Behar and attorney Randy Mastro say City Hall has repeatedly delayed responses to Freedom of Information Law requests seeking documents about Mamdani’s rollback of executive orders involving antisemitism and Israel. According to the lawsuit, some records may not be released until late this year.

Mastro argues the delays amount to obstruction, while Behar says journalists have a duty to uncover how major government decisions are made. The lawsuit seeks records tied to the city’s adoption of the IHRA antisemitism definition, anti-boycott policies involving Israel and the removal of webpages promoting New York’s business ties with Israel.