Former New York City Council Candidate Charged with AI Forgery

前紐約市議會候選人被指控利用 AI 偽造文件

Jun 25, 2026, 02:59

Introduction

Jonathan Rinaldi, a former Republican candidate for the Queens City Council, has been arrested and charged with forgery after sharing AI-generated content designed to trick voters.

前共和黨皇后區市議會候選人 Jonathan Rinaldi 因分享由 AI 生成且旨在欺騙選民的內容，而被逮捕並被指控偽造文件。

Main Body

The legal case focuses on how the defendant allegedly used artificial intelligence to create fake political endorsements and news reports. According to the Queens District Attorney, Rinaldi used AI tools, such as OpenAI's Sora, to produce deceptive material. This included a fake endorsement from the Queens Jewish Alliance and videos that falsely showed support from a police precinct and an elementary school, both of which are legally banned from supporting political candidates. Furthermore, prosecutors claim he created fake news articles and a 'deepfake' video suggesting that his opponent, Lynn Schulman, had left the race.

該法律案件的重點在於被告如何涉嫌利用人工智慧來創建虛假的政治背書與新聞報導。根據皇后區檢察官的說法，Rinaldi 使用了如 OpenAI 的 Sora 等 AI 工具來製作誤導性資料。這包括一份來自皇后區猶太聯盟（Queens Jewish Alliance）的虛假背書，以及一些虛假顯示警察分局和小學支持他的影片，而這兩類機構在法律上是被禁止支持政治候選人的。此外，檢察官聲稱他創建了虛假新聞文章和一段「深偽」（deepfake）影片，暗示他的對手 Lynn Schulman 已經退出競選。

Regarding the technical side, the court documents mention that Rinaldi used specific prompts to perform 'face swaps' on photos to make it look like he met with Council Member Robert Holden. Additionally, he is accused of creating images to damage Schulman's reputation in the Forest Hills community. While Rinaldi argued that these actions were a part of his free speech and a way to fight the political establishment, the prosecution emphasized that lying and creating fake documents is not protected by law.

在技術方面，法院文件提到 Rinaldi 使用了特定的提示詞（prompts）對照片進行「換臉」，使其看起來像是在與市議員 Robert Holden 會面。此外，他被指控創建影像以損害 Schulman 在 Forest Hills 社區的名聲。雖然 Rinaldi 主張這些行為是其言論自由的一部分，以及一種對抗政治體制的方法，但控方強調，撒謊和創建偽造文件是不受法律保護的。

This case happens as more than half of U.S. states introduce laws to stop AI from interfering in elections. New York passed a law in 2024 requiring candidates to label deepfakes in their campaigns. However, the specific charges against Rinaldi—third-degree forgery and possession of forged instruments—are based on older laws. These laws define a 'written instrument' to include any online content that could give someone an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

此案發生之際，美國超過一半的州份已引入法律以防止 AI 干預選舉。紐約州在 2024 年通過了一項法律，要求候選人在競選活動中標記深偽內容。然而，針對 Rinaldi 的具體指控——三級偽造罪和持有偽造工具罪——是基於較舊的法律。這些法律將「書面文件」定義為包括任何可能給予他人不公平優勢或劣勢的網路內容。

Conclusion

Mr. Rinaldi could face up to two years in prison and is scheduled to appear in court on August 19.

Rinaldi 先生可能面臨最高兩年的監禁，並預定於 8 月 19 日出庭。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Moving from Simple Words to Precise Verbs

At the A2 level, you probably use words like make, do, say, or give for everything. To reach B2, you need precision. Look at how this text describes illegal actions without using the word "did" or "made" repeatedly.

🔍 The Power of "Formal Action Verbs"

Instead of saying "He made fake news," the author uses verbs that describe the intent and the method:

To produce $\rightarrow$ (Used for technical creation): "...to produce deceptive material."
To emphasize $\rightarrow$ (Used to show strength in an argument): "...the prosecution emphasized that lying... is not protected."
To interfere $\rightarrow$ (Used when someone disrupts a process): "...stop AI from interfering in elections."

🛠️ Bridge Technique: The "Substitution Swap"

Try to replace these common A2 phrases with the B2-level alternatives found in the text:

A2 (Simple)	B2 (Precise)	Context from Article
Give an advantage	Provide an advantage	"...content that could give someone an unfair advantage" $\rightarrow$ B2 alternative: provide/grant
Talk about	Claim	"...prosecutors claim he created fake news"
Use (for a goal)	Perform	"...to perform 'face swaps' on photos"

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Notice the word "allegedly." This is a classic B2 academic word. In English, if you are not 100% sure something is true (or if it's a legal case), you don't say "maybe." You use allegedly to protect yourself.

Example: "He allegedly stole the money" $\rightarrow$ It is said that he did it, but the judge hasn't decided yet.

Vocabulary Learning

forgery (n.)

The crime of producing a fake document, signature, or piece of art to deceive others.

Example:The art collector was devastated to discover that the painting was a clever forgery.

allegedly (adv.)

Used when saying that something is claimed to be true, although there is no proof yet.

Example:The suspect allegedly stole the jewelry from the store last Tuesday.

endorsement (n.)

A public statement of support for a person, product, or cause.

Example:The candidate received a surprising endorsement from the former mayor.

deceptive (adj.)

Intended to mislead or trick someone into believing something that is not true.

Example:The company was fined for using deceptive advertising to attract customers.

precinct (n.)

A specific district or area of a city for police or electoral purposes.

Example:The local police precinct is working hard to reduce crime in the neighborhood.

establishment (n.)

The group of people in a society or organization who have the most power and influence.

Example:The young politician campaigned on a platform of challenging the political establishment.

interfering (v.)

The act of getting involved in a situation when you are not wanted, often to change the outcome.

Example:The government was accused of interfering in the internal affairs of the neighboring country.

instrument (n.)

A formal legal document, such as a contract, deed, or will.

Example:The lawyer reviewed the legal instrument to ensure all signatures were valid.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→