New doubts emerge over MAGA foundation behind the Democratic Party’s $6 million lobbying deal
Photo: ali Berisha, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania.
A Shqiptarja.com investigation reveals that the foundation claimed by Albania’s Democratic Party (DP) to fund its $6 million U.S. lobbying contract was created just days before the deal was signed, raising serious questions about the transparency and legality of the operation.
Why is this important: The Democratic Party has justified its unprecedented lobbying expenses by citing the “Make Albania Great Again” foundation. But newly uncovered documents show the foundation was only registered on March 27, 2025 — exactly seven days before the contract was signed — suggesting it may have been established solely to serve as a financial vehicle for the deal.
Context: Documents obtained by Shqiptarja.com confirm that MAGA was registered in New Jersey as a non-profit by Nuredin Seci, the same individual listed as the guarantor of the $6 million contract with the American firm Continental Strategy.
The timeline is extremely short:
- March 27: Foundation is registered.
- March 30: MAGA contacts Continental Strategy to offer funding.
- April 4: Flamur Noka, DP Secretary General, signs the $6 million contract with Continental on behalf of the DP-led electoral alliance.
The speed of these events points strongly to the foundation being created specifically to facilitate the lobbying payment, rather than representing an established funding entity.
The foundation’s declared address is a $2 million villa in New Jersey, recently sold by a woman sharing the same last name as Seci, suggesting potential personal ties. No record exists of the foundation conducting any previous activity or fundraising on this scale.
Adding to the concerns, signatures attributed to Nuredin Seci in past legal documents differ noticeably from the signature used on the lobbying contract.
Despite DP’s claims, no mention of the “Make Albania Great Again” foundation appears in the official U.S. lobbying registration. Only Seci, personally, is listed as the financial guarantor.
Broader concerns:
- No evidence of how MAGA could have raised $6 million within days of being founded.
- No disclosed list of donors, as required by U.S. and Albanian laws on political financing.
- Potential risk of the foundation being treated as a shell entity, exposing DP to serious legal repercussions.
The case has triggered an official investigation by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), tasked with verifying the true source of the funds and potential violations of campaign finance laws.
Continental Strategy, the firm contracted for the lobbying effort, is led by figures closely tied to Donald Trump’s political network.
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