Curtis Sliwa’s Past Resurfaces Amid Campaign

Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, finds himself in the midst of controversy as he navigates his campaign. His colorful history seems to be catching up with him.

In a notable political shift, former independent mayoral candidate Jim Walden has halted his campaign to support ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo. This comes amid various scandals and serious allegations swirling around Sliwa as he engages in New York City political dynamics.

Walden has recently called for Sliwa to step down from the mayoral race, aiming to strengthen Cuomo’s independence movement and rally voters against left-wing Democratic contender Zoran Mamdani.

In a tweet, Walden emphasized the urgency of uniting against Mamdani, asking potential critics among Sliwa’s supporters to recognize his intent to prioritize the city. He noted, “To all the Curtis supporters who might attack me, please understand that I’m still trying to be nice. I’m not enjoying this. But I’m putting New York City first.”

In a recent thread, it was highlighted that Sliwa’s organization may have lost its tax-exempt status years ago yet continues to solicit donations through its website, which raises potential legal concerns.

The discussion also revisited the past when Sliwa admitted to staging hoax incidents to gain publicity for the Guardian Angels. He had fabricated events—like a subway rescue where a victim lied about injuries—just to draw attention.

IRS records indicate that the organization lost its federal and state tax-exempt designations in late 2022 after failing to file tax returns since 2019. Sliwa’s team has attributed these issues to inadequate documentation by a former treasurer who faced legal issues himself.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Sliwa stated, “That’s old news. Guardian Angels was defrauded years ago by a former accountant who didn’t submit documents. Everything has been fixed, the organization is up to date and in good standing.”

Walden further pointed to controversies beyond Sliwa’s public endeavors, mentioning alleged anti-Semitic and sexist remarks made in his personal life. In one resurfaced video, Sliwa expresses controversial views about the Orthodox Jewish community, making problematic statements that have drawn significant criticism.

Despite these remarks, Sliwa has previously stated he wishes to engage with Orthodox leaders to address misunderstandings, and his spokesperson insists that he has built strong relationships within the Jewish community over the years.

Sliwa has also faced backlash over statements about anti-Semitism, claiming, “I’m a Gentile and it’s in our DNA,” which has been seen as troubling. He later tried to clarify his phrasing, suggesting that anti-Semitic thoughts can be instilled in non-Jews.

On a personal level, Sliwa’s history of multiple marriages has led to speculation about his character. His estranged third wife has lodged a lawsuit against him regarding unpaid child support for a child with special needs. This lawsuit, which has been settled, has been offered by Sliwa’s representatives as a consequence of a difficult divorce.

A spokesperson noted, “As with any divorce, there are differences of opinion. Curtis loves his three sons and has always paid more than his fair share,” and emphasized the personal nature of the matter. “This is a private family matter and should not be reported.”