Queens Pol Known as 'the Sperminator' Charged With Forgery

New York prosecutors say a Queens politician didn't just spin his record—he fabricated it with AI. Jonathan Rinaldi, 47, was charged on Wednesday with three counts of forgery and 15 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, accused of using artificial intelligence to churn out bogus news articles and endorsements during his failed City Council run last year, reports the New York Times. Queens prosecutors say the materials, posted on social media, were part of a deliberate bid to mislead voters and opponents; one prosecutor called it an effort to win "by any means."

Rinaldi, who lost a Democratic state Assembly primary this week to incumbent Andrew Hevesi, had switched from Republican to Democrat specifically to take on Hevesi in the primary, per the Queens Eagle. Rinaldi had previously admitted creating fake endorsements from various groups and officials, and even from Hevesi himself. The AP notes he even allegedly whipped up phony endorsements from a police precinct and elementary school, which aren't allowed to offer endorsements.

The criminal probe began after Hevesi complained that his party registration had been mysteriously changed, though Rinaldi wasn't charged in connection with that allegation and denied it, per the Times. At his Wednesday arraignment, Rinaldi smirked as the charges against him were read, prompting a reprimand from the judge, and later cast the case as an attack on his free speech. "I posted stuff on social media," he told reporters. The AP notes that "the First Amendment ... does not generally protect fraudulent statements."

Rinaldi is no stranger to controversy: In 2023, he was accused of harassing multiple Queens Democrats and other elected officials, alienating members of even his own Republican party at the time, per City & State New York. The outlet notes that "before running for office, Rinaldi was best known as a reality-TV show star, anti-vaccination activist, and prolific sperm donor" (nickname: "the Sperminator,"), with at least two previous arrests on his record for burglary and assault. The current case lands as states, including New York, rush to regulate AI in political campaigning. Rinaldi is due back in court on Aug. 19. He could face up to two years behind bars.