New York Mayor-Elect Controversy: Transition Team Includes Man With Alleged Criminal Past

In a development that has sparked controversy, the transition team for New York’s newly elected mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani includes Mysonne Linen despite his history of alleged violent crimes. The appointment marks a significant point of discussion as the city prepares for major changes under the progressive administration.

The announcement came late last year when Until Freedom, the organization Linen co-founded, declared its satisfaction with him serving on one of the mayor-elect’s committees focused on criminal justice reform. “We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team,” a representative from Until Freedom stated without mentioning other news outlets.

This decision has drawn sharp criticism given Linen’s past actions. In June 1997, he was reportedly involved in an incident where taxi driver Joseph Eziri was allegedly assaulted by several men including Linen during what prosecutors described as an armed robbery. Adding to concerns, it was reported that Linen, along with two others, targeted cabbie Francisco Monsanto and attacked him with a beer bottle.

The situation is further complicated by additional alleged offenses committed years earlier when in March 1998, another incident occurred where a taxi driver named Francisco Monsanto was robbed at gunpoint according to the reports. These incidents paint a troubling picture of Linen’s background despite his involvement in social justice causes through Until Freedom, which focuses on “systemic injustice.”

Linen has also been involved in other controversies beyond physical violence. His online posts have included inflammatory comments and anti-gay slurs from years ago.

The inclusion of such an individual with a checkered past raises questions about the moral alignment between the organization’s progressive platform and Linen’s actions history, leaving some critics questioning how this controversial figure could be considered qualified for roles in criminal justice reform under the administration of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.