Manhattan Institute sues to force Mamdani admin to release documents

The Manhattan Institute sued New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration on September 14, seeking to compel the release of documents under the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The lawsuit stems from requests regarding an attempt by Ana María Archila, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, to meet with the Iranian envoy to the United Nations, a meeting that was later canceled. Santiago Vidal Calvo, a cities policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute, stated that the city initially indicated a response in January 2027, despite the state law requiring a reply within 20 working days. This legal action is one of several recent lawsuits against the Mamdani administration concerning transparency and its handling of issues relevant to Jewish New Yorkers. Attorney Jack Lester, involved in a separate but related lawsuit, commented that the administration “makes a mockery of open government, at least when it comes to the administration’s relationship with the Jewish community.” The mayor’s press office stated they are reviewing the lawsuit and are “fully committed to transparency.”