Shqiptarja.com investigation: newly created foundation that pledged $6m to DP linked only to Seci family

The foundation that the Democratic Party claims will cover the $6 million cost of its lobbying efforts in Washington is, in fact, a small family-run entity founded by Nuredin Seci, the man listed as financial guarantor in the contract. Documents obtained by Shqiptarja.com show that the “Make Albania Great Again” foundation consists only of Seci, his wife Ajshe, and their son Valdrin.

Why is this important: The findings raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the source of funding for the lobbying contract — the most expensive ever signed by an Albanian political party. The foundation’s structure and timing suggest it may have been created solely to serve as a financial cover for the controversial deal. This adds to growing legal and ethical scrutiny, now under investigation by SPAK.

Context: According to documents secured by Shqiptarja.com, the foundation was established on March 27, just seven days before the contract was signed by DP Secretary General Flamur Noka. Its stated mission is to promote local community welfare in New Jersey, with a vague mention that it “may engage in political activity.”

The only listed address — a $2 million villa in New Jersey — is also the residence of the Seci family. The property was sold in late 2023 by Valbona Seci, a realtor believed to be related to Nuredin Seci.

DP has claimed the foundation is backed by donations from patriotic Albanian-Americans, but so far, there is no evidence of other board members or donors. The foundation’s narrow leadership — a single family — undermines the party’s narrative that it is a broad-based diaspora initiative.

What else: The foundation’s treasurer, Valdrin Seci, is also behind another charity in Albania focused on autism support and is known in local media for ties to a public figure in entertainment. His business interests in the U.S. include home improvement services and a roofing company.

This foundation, created just days before it committed to financing a $6 million lobbying campaign, swiftly reached an agreement with the U.S. firm Continental Strategy. Five days after that, Noka signed the deal on behalf of the Democratic Party and its coalition.

Notably, the contract was signed not just in the name of the DP, but in the name of the broader 25-party coalition “Alliance for a Great Albania.” There is no indication that the leaders of the other parties were consulted or were aware of the contract.

Ongoing investigation: SPAK has opened a preliminary investigation into the deal. If the money is deemed a foreign donation — which is banned by Albanian election law — it could carry legal consequences. The contract, reportedly involving an upfront payment of $750,000, is the largest among recent lobbying deals signed by the firm Continental Strategy.