House Committee Threatens Subpoena Enforcement Against Singham-Linked Nonprofits
Lawmakers warn leaders and potentially Neville Roy Singham himself could face depositions unless subpoenas for financial records are complied with by Tuesday.
The House Ways and Means Committee has escalated its investigation into three nonprofits associated with Marxist tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, threatening to compel testimony under oath unless the organizations and their leaders comply with subpoenas by Tuesday. The probe centers on allegations that millions of dollars flowing through Singham's network of tax-exempt organizations may be used to advance Chinese Communist Party interests in the United States.
In letters released this week, Republican lawmakers renewed their demands for financial records and other documents from The People's Forum Inc., BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., stated that "Shanghai Singham has poured millions of dollars into these groups to take advantage of America's nonprofit sector and promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda." He added, "Either these organizations turn over the documents, or their leaders will answer the Committee's questions under oath."
Singham himself is among 21 individuals identified by the committee for potential questioning under oath, according to sources. This list includes executives, activists, and journalists from the three targeted organizations. The threatened depositions represent a significant escalation in a dispute that began with requests for financial records in 2025 and intensified with subpoenas issued in July.
Potential Depositions
The committee has identified eight individuals at The People's Forum, seven at BreakThrough News, and six at Tricontinental as potential deposition targets. Among them are Manolo De Los Santos, executive director of The People's Forum; Ben Becker, editor-in-chief of BreakThrough News; and Vijay Prashad, executive director of Tricontinental. Singham is listed as chairman of Tricontinental's international advisory board.
The three organizations have challenged the investigation, asserting that lawmakers are targeting their political views and First Amendment-protected activities. They have accused the committee of conducting a "McCarthy-era witch hunt."
Singham's Network and Funding
Investigators allege that Singham channeled money through shell companies and donor-advised funds, obscuring the original source of contributions. Singham, an American-born tech entrepreneur, sold his software company ThoughtWorks for an estimated $785 million in 2017 and now resides in Shanghai. Previous reporting traced at least $278 million from Singham into six U.S. nonprofits that served as funding hubs for international activist groups, media organizations, and think tanks promoting socialist, communist, and pro-China causes.
The People's Forum received approximately $22.44 million, Tricontinental received $16.76 million, and BreakThrough BT Media Inc., the parent organization of BreakThrough News, received $1.098 million. In total, the three groups received about $40.3 million, according to the committee's findings.
The committee is examining whether existing tax laws adequately protect against foreign influence in the nonprofit sector and if legislative strengthening is needed. Singham is also reportedly under a federal grand jury investigation in the Southern District of New York concerning alleged financial crimes related to his nonprofit network, though no charges have been announced.
Pushback from BreakThrough News
BreakThrough News condemned the committee's demands, accusing lawmakers of targeting journalists for their political views. The outlet asserted that it receives no outside editorial direction and that its primary donations come from U.S. organizations. Hosts for the outlet, Zoe Alexandra and Rania Khalek, denounced the demands, with Alexandra stating, "Unless BT gives up its legal rights, including our First Amendment protections, he'll subpoena each of us individually and drag us to Washington for depositions."
Khalek accused lawmakers of personal targeting, stating, "They will come after us individually if we don't comply with their unconstitutional demands." The organization urged supporters to sign a petition and donate to legal expenses.
Investigation Timeline
The committee initially sought records from The People's Forum in September 2025, expanding its inquiry to BreakThrough News and Tricontinental in February 2026. After the organizations challenged these requests, lawmakers narrowed their demands in May before issuing subpoenas in July. The committee sought records related to foreign-linked funding, financial arrangements, communications with Singham and foreign interests, and donor information. Attorneys for BreakThrough News and The People's Forum formally objected in August, arguing the subpoenas violated First Amendment protections and exceeded legislative authority.