A Democrat New York City council member is under fire for directing nearly $150,000 in taxpayer money to organizations linked to her husband, raising serious ethical concerns about conflicts of interest. The funding patterns appear to suspiciously fluctuate based on her husband’s involvement with each group.
At a Glance
- Brooklyn City Council member Shahana Hanif directed over $149,000 in taxpayer funds to organizations affiliated with her husband
- Funding to these Arab immigrant groups increased when her husband Abdullah Younus joined their boards
- No conflicts of interest were disclosed to the New York City Council
- Hanif has a history of anti-Israel actions, including being arrested at a Gaza rally and voting against an “End Jewish Hatred Day”
- Constituents report being ignored and treated rudely by Hanif’s office
Follow The Money: Hanif’s Suspicious Funding Patterns
Brooklyn City Council member Shahana Hanif is facing intense scrutiny after reportedly channeling $149,000 of taxpayer money to immigrant organizations connected to her husband, Abdullah Younus. The Democrat appears to have leveraged her position to direct discretionary funding to groups where Younus has direct involvement, including the Arab American Association of New York, The Arab American Family Support Center, and the New York Immigration Coalition.
The financial paper trail reveals a disturbing pattern. When Younus joined the board of the Arab American Family Support Center in 2024, Hanif’s funding to that organization suddenly increased. Similarly, when he left his position on the board of the Arab American Association, financial support from Hanif’s office noticeably decreased.
Perhaps most concerning is that neither Hanif nor the Arab American Family Support Center disclosed these obvious conflicts of interest to the New York City Council. This apparent violation of ethics rules has raised serious questions about transparency and the proper use of taxpayer funds in a city already struggling with financial challenges.
“I don’t think there’s a group of constituents she hasn’t offended,” Christine Doyle, a retired attorney in Hanif’s district, said.
Doyle, who highlighted the councilwoman’s suspicious spending patterns, emphasizes that her concern isn’t with the mission of these organizations but rather the questionable nature of the financial transactions. The funding decisions appear to follow changes in Younus’s professional relationships rather than the actual needs of the community.
A History of Controversy
This financial scandal adds to Hanif’s growing list of controversies. She was arrested in 2023 at a “Ceasefire now rally for Gaza” and voted against establishing an “End Jewish Hatred Day” in New York. These actions have particularly alienated Jewish constituents in her district, who report feeling ignored and dismissed by her office.
Despite the mounting evidence, Hanif has denied any wrongdoing, claiming she consulted with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure compliance with disclosure requirements. Her office’s defense comes as many constituents express frustration over what appears to be a pattern of self-serving behavior at taxpayer expense.
As pressure mounts for an investigation, Hanif faces growing calls for accountability from both constituents and other council members. But this is New York City we’re talking about. She might just keep getting away with it – she is, after all, in the right party for this kind of thing.
