Hevesi Files Criminal Complaint Against Opponent Rinaldi for Alleged Party Affiliation Fraud

Assemblymember accuses challenger of illegally changing party registration to steal election

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:05pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting in bold, clashing colors depicting an anonymous political symbol, conceptually representing the disruption and lack of clarity in a local election marred by accusations of voter registration manipulation.A fractured, kinetic painting captures the tension and uncertainty surrounding allegations of voter registration fraud in a local political race.NYC Today

Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi has filed a criminal complaint against his Democratic primary challenger Jonathan Rinaldi, alleging that Rinaldi fraudulently changed Hevesi's party affiliation in an attempt to steal his Assembly seat. Hevesi claims Rinaldi, a lifelong Republican, switched to the Democratic party solely to run against him, and then illegally filed paperwork to change Hevesi's registration to the Working Families Party, which would have made Hevesi ineligible for the Democratic primary. Rinaldi denies the allegations, blaming vulnerabilities in the election system.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity and the potential for bad actors to exploit weaknesses in voter registration systems. It also raises questions about the role of party affiliation in local elections, and whether voters are more focused on individual candidates and their positions rather than strict party lines.

The details

Hevesi filed the criminal complaint with the Queens District Attorney's office after learning that paperwork had been filed to change his voter registration from the Democratic Party to the Working Families Party. Hevesi knew he did not file this paperwork himself. Rinaldi, who ran against Hevesi as a Republican two years ago, has now switched to the Democratic party to challenge Hevesi in the primary. Hevesi alleges Rinaldi is the only person who had the motive, means and opportunity to commit this alleged fraud.

  • On April 6, 2026, Hevesi filed a criminal complaint against Rinaldi.
  • The alleged voter registration change occurred a week prior to Hevesi filing the complaint.

The players

Andrew Hevesi

A Democratic Assemblymember who has represented the 28th Assembly District in Queens since 2005.

Jonathan Rinaldi

Hevesi's Democratic primary challenger, who previously ran against Hevesi as a Republican two years ago.

Melinda Katz

The Queens District Attorney, whose office is investigating the allegations against Rinaldi.

Gregory Meeks

The Chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party, who took swift action to help resolve the alleged fraud.

Working Families Party

The party that discovered the alleged fraud in Hevesi's voter registration.

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What they’re saying

“My opponent has a long history of dishonesty in his various unsuccessful campaigns for public office. He is a lifelong Republican, who has consistently run as a Republican, and lost as a Republican. But this year, Mr. Rinaldi changed his party designation to Democrat to challenge me in the primary, which is inherently against his well-documented anti-Democratic views.”

— Andrew Hevesi, Assemblymember

“I had absolutely no involvement in any change to Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi's voter registration, and neither did anyone acting on my behalf. What this situation highlights is a serious vulnerability in our election system. If a voter registration could be changed by mail, without identification, and even apparent errors, that should concern every New Yorker.”

— Jonathan Rinaldi, Democratic Primary Challenger

What’s next

The Queens District Attorney's office will determine whether to pursue a criminal investigation against Rinaldi based on Hevesi's complaint.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for robust election security measures to prevent voter registration fraud and protect the integrity of the democratic process. It also highlights the ongoing tension between party affiliation and individual candidate qualifications in local elections.