Queens candidate arrested over deceptive use of AI on campaign trail: sources - Queens Daily Eagle

Jonathan Rinaldi, a recurring political candidate, was arrested in Queens following allegations that he utilized artificial intelligence to disseminate deceptive campaign materials. Rinaldi, who recently lost a Democratic primary for State Assembly, faces nearly 20 criminal counts related to his 2025 City Council campaign, where he allegedly employed AI to manipulate voter perception.

What happened

Prosecutors allege that Rinaldi used AI-generated imagery and text to deceive voters during his race against City Councilmember Lynn Schulman. The campaign utilized Facebook and Instagram accounts to post misleading content designed to appear as legitimate news or official support. Specifically, the materials included fabricated news articles and fake endorsements that mimicked real media outlets and political figures. Among the fraudulent claims were non-existent endorsements from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Councilmember Bob Holden, and State Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi. Additionally, Rinaldi used AI to mimic the style of established publications, such as the Queens Daily Eagle, to give the false impression that his campaign was being reported on by credible news sources. These deceptive tactics were part of a pattern of behavior spanning multiple election cycles, including his recent bid for State Assembly, where he also allegedly used AI to create misleading social media posts, fabricated news articles, and videos of his political opponents. Following his arraignment on Wednesday, Rinaldi faces potential prison time of up to two years for the fraud charges stemming from the 2025 City Council race.