Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon is accused of committing “Fear Fraud” by falsely claiming he feared for his life over a mass Substack newsletter sent by journalist Richard Luthmann’s news outlet. The email, authored by Dr. Bandy Lee, didn’t mention McMahon and contained no threats. Critics say McMahon lied in a sworn NYPD complaint to fabricate a felony charge and trigger extradition against a longtime political adversary. The move is widely seen as political lawfare and retaliation. Multiple outlets report a federal criminal referral is now headed to FBI Director Kash Patel, with potential perjury and civil rights violations under investigation.