Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a former candidate in New York City’s 2025 mayoral race, is once again under scrutiny.
A recent New York Post report reveals fresh claims that Sliwa failed to pay several campaign workers after his third-place finish.
Canvassers say they spent weeks reaching out to voters but never received the wages they were promised.
Claims From Campaign Workers
Unpaid Wages Reported
Multiple canvassers told the New York Post that they were left waiting for payments that never arrived. Some said they are owed several thousand dollars for their work in the final weeks of the campaign.
One former staffer shared that he is still missing nearly $2,000, calling the situation “disappointing for someone who campaigned on honesty and reform.” Another worker, Alonzo Henderson, expressed frustration, saying promises made during the campaign should have been honored.
Growing Frustration Among GOP Staffers
According to Republican insiders, unpaid canvassers are now the biggest source of complaint. These hourly workers depend on timely payments, and the delay has caused tension among lower-level staff.
Sliwa’s Response to the Accusations
Campaign Denies Withholding Payments
In response, Sliwa’s campaign insists that the workers will be compensated. Spokesman Rob Cole said “everyone is going to get paid,” adding that the delay is due to verification requirements set by the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Verification Process Explained
Sliwa himself maintained that workers who submit proper time sheets will receive their payments by December 1. He emphasized that the verification process is standard campaign protocol and denied any intention to withhold wages.
Campaign Finances Raise Questions
Large Budget, Remaining Funds
Despite these complaints, the campaign’s financial records show Sliwa raised nearly $7 million, including over $5 million in public matching funds. About $1.7 million reportedly remained unspent at the end of the race, placing the pay dispute under additional scrutiny.
Election Results
Sliwa secured only 7% of the vote on November 4, finishing behind Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent.
Previous Financial Controversies
Child Support Dispute
This is not the first time Sliwa has faced money-related criticism. In 2023, The Daily Beast reported that Sliwa’s former wife, Mary Paterson, sued him for over $530,000 in unpaid child support. Her lawyer accused him of showing “disregard for legal process.”
Unpaid Taxes
Politico’s Playbook also highlighted that a corporation registered in Sliwa’s name owes almost $4,000 in unpaid state taxes. His campaign blamed the problem on an old clerical error and insisted his personal taxes are fully paid.
Political Fallout and Backlash
Distrust Among Republicans
The controversy has amplified frustration among Republican activists still dealing with Mamdani’s unexpected victory. Some officials say the unpaid worker claims have further damaged Sliwa’s credibility, weakening his populist messaging.
Criticism From Former Employer
Billionaire and WABC owner John Catsimatidis also criticized Sliwa, arguing that his refusal to drop out earlier contributed to a split conservative vote
Sliwa Defends His Campaign’s Practices
Sliwa stated that canvassers were paid weekly or biweekly during the campaign, but many invoices were submitted after Election Day.
According to him, all time sheets turned in after November 4 must go through auditing and verification by the Campaign Finance Board. He insisted that all valid invoices will be paid before the final audit deadline.
The mounting accusations against Curtis Sliwa have put his 2025 mayoral campaign under a harsh spotlight.
While his team maintains that payments are pending only due to required verification steps, frustrated canvassers and previous financial controversies continue to overshadow his public image.
With over a million dollars left in campaign funds and a history of money-related disputes, questions about transparency and accountability remain central to the unfolding debate.
