Judge appointed to Mamdani panel accused of taking no action against virulent antisemitism and racism at nonprofit
Zohran Mamdani appointed former judge Milton Tingling to his Advisory Committee on the Judiciary last month, despite court papers accusing him of allowing alleged racism and antisemitism to fester at a nonprofit where he serves as board chair.
Tingling chairs the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC), which is facing allegations against executive director Zaed Ramadan. A lawsuit by former board member Vince Morgan alleges Ramadan engaged in “unprofessional and discriminatory behavior,” including racist, antisemitic and ethnically offensive remarks.
The lawsuit says Ramadan’s comments intensified after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. It alleges he held a two-hour meeting with state Assemblyman Charles Fall and Brooklyn imam Siraj Wahhaj to discuss the WHDC’s response. Wahhaj was once named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and urged “jihad” on New York City in the early 2000s.
Ramadan allegedly claimed he developed code words to make anti-Israel and anti-Jewish statements avoid being labeled antisemitic, while highlighting alleged Jewish greed and control of New York politics. He also allegedly said Jews unfairly control New York and that “Jews stole Palestinian land,” and described alleged violence against Palestinians in graphic terms.
Morgan, who is African American, says he complained to Tingling in February 2024 and recorded Ramadan. He alleges Tingling ignored his complaints, retaliated against him and undermined his authority. Morgan was fired in January 2025.
WHDC denied all allegations. Court papers say a proposed outside investigation was rejected in May 2024.
Tingling served on New York County Supreme Court until retiring in 2014 and is Manhattan County Clerk.
Mamdani said the 18-member committee would ensure the judiciary reflects the city and applies the law “without favor.” The panel has already faced criticism for having no Jewish appointees.
