A federal grand jury is investigating the financial network of Neville Roy Singham, a China-based tech tycoon accused of funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into nonprofit political advocacy organizations. An intelligence expert described the network as a national security threat, suggesting its activities extend beyond nonprofit finances.
Adam Sohn, CEO of the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), stated that Singham's network has provided an estimated $278 million since 2017 to groups such as the People's Forum, Breakthrough News, Tri-Continental, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Sohn claims these organizations are responsible for highly choreographed protests across the U.S. on various left-wing issues. "Without his money, these nonprofits have no reason for existence," Sohn said. "I think Americans are seeing what this ecosystem looks like in the streets of our country. These aren't protests, it's coordinated chaos and attacks on infrastructure."
Singham, a 72-year-old Marxist who sold his tech company for $800 million in 2017 and now resides in Shanghai, is known for funding groups that align with the Chinese Communist Party. His network's funded organizations have been involved in anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), anti-Israel, and pro-Iran demonstrations.
The investigation is being led by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, with Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche authorizing grand jury subpoenas. Singham has not responded to requests for comment.
AI and Data Center Opposition
Sohn also highlighted that Singham's network has actively opposed the construction of data centers and the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. While opponents of data centers often cite environmental concerns, proponents argue that such opposition could impede U.S. progress in the AI race with China.
According to a report by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, an estimated $23.6 billion in proposed AI and data center investments has been delayed, scaled back, or blocked in campaigns where the Party for Socialism and Liberation played a key role in mobilization. The NCRI has reportedly provided information to the Southern District of New York regarding foreign influence on U.S. AI policy.
"They're functioning as unregistered foreign agents, [with] ties to Venezuela, ties to Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba," Sohn stated. "This same organizing muscle that's been shutting down bridges, shutting down airports, attacking police officers, they're now redeployed onto the artificial intelligence the United States is trying to engage in with China and other countries."
Sohn further alleged that his organization has data indicating Iranian operatives are formally partnered with Singham's networks, though this claim could not be independently verified. The federal probe into Singham's finances is occurring alongside investigations by Congressional committees and other lawmakers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly met with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon to urge the bank's cooperation with the DOJ investigation into Singham's financial network. Bessent allegedly warned Goldman Sachs of potential scrutiny over its role in facilitating fund movements for Singham and encouraged full cooperation.
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson stated that all distributions from Mr. Singham's donor-advised fund were made to legally recognized nonprofit organizations, as determined by the IRS. The spokesperson added that no distributions have been made since August 2023, and the account was closed in early 2024.