NYC Council Grills Mayor's DOI Nominee Over Campaign Ties

Nadia Shihata faces questions about her political support for Mayor Mamdani before her nomination to lead the city's corruption watchdog.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:13pm

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A dimly lit government office desk sits alone in a sunlit room, casting long shadows across the floor, conveying a sense of solemnity and scrutiny surrounding the oversight agency.The Department of Investigation's independence is tested as a new commissioner with political ties to City Hall takes the helm.NYC Today

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pick to run the city's Department of Investigation (DOI), a corruption watchdog, faced pointed questions from City Council members over her own support for his campaign, including $700 in donations and a stint canvassing on his behalf. Legislators pressed Nadia Shihata on whether she could independently investigate the administration that selected her.

Why it matters

The DOI commissioner oversees investigations into corruption, fraud, waste and abuse across city agencies and those doing business with the city. The previous DOI leadership investigated misconduct at high levels of municipal government, heightening scrutiny over who will take over the post and how independent that person will be.

The details

During the April 6 confirmation hearing, Shihata, a former federal prosecutor, acknowledged she had donated four times to Mamdani's mayoral campaign for a total of $700 and once canvassed for him. Council members challenged whether New Yorkers could trust her to investigate the mayor and top administration officials without fear or favor. Shihata defended her record, saying any investigation would be guided by facts, law and evidence rather than politics or personal relationships.

  • Mayor Mamdani announced Nadia Shihata as his pick for the new DOI commissioner on Feb 12, 2026.
  • The confirmation hearing took place on April 6, 2026.

The players

Nadia Shihata

Mayor Mamdani's nominee to serve as DOI commissioner, a former federal prosecutor with experience in public corruption and organized crime cases.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who nominated Shihata to lead the Department of Investigation.

Linda Lee

The chair of the City Council's Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics, which held the confirmation hearing.

Chris Banks

A City Council deputy leader who questioned Shihata about her independence.

Ramzi Kassem

The mayor's chief counsel, who reached out to Shihata about the DOI post before she applied.

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What they’re saying

“Why should New Yorkers believe that you can independently act when it comes to being the DOI commissioner with these relationships with the mayor?”

— Chris Banks, City Council Deputy Leader

“I would approach the job as I had my work as a federal prosecutor: 'without fear or favor, following the evidence and the law and nothing else.'”

— Nadia Shihata, DOI Commissioner Nominee

What’s next

The City Council will vote on whether to confirm Nadia Shihata as the new DOI commissioner.

The takeaway

Shihata's nomination has raised concerns about the DOI's independence and ability to investigate the mayor's administration, given her past political support for Mamdani. Her confirmation hearing highlighted the need for the DOI commissioner to maintain a clear separation from City Hall to ensure public trust in the agency's work.