Legal Battle Erupts Over Deceased NYU Professor’s $4.7 Million Retirement Fund and Its Ties to Leftist Group DSA

(TJV NEWS) A legal dispute is underway in New York over whether the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a left-leaning political organization, is entitled to receive the $4.7 million retirement account of the late NYU sociology professor David Greenberg.

Greenberg’s estate filed a lawsuit Friday against both New York University and the DSA, arguing that NYU should not transfer the funds to the organization. Court filings state that Greenberg had initially designated a political group called New American Moment as a contingent beneficiary. That group, which was founded to oppose the Vietnam War, dissolved decades ago and, according to the lawsuit, never formally or legally merged with DSA as has been claimed, Daily Caller reported.

Greenberg, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 82, was described in the lawsuit as having supported New American Moment due to its alignment with his political ideals. The estate argues that honoring the DSA with his retirement funds would violate the professor’s original intentions.

Both NYU and DSA have yet to respond to media requests for comment, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The DSA, which promotes Marxist-influenced political views and has supported several left-wing Democrats in Congress, has recently been dealing with mounting financial strain and declining membership. Internal documents and public statements suggest that since 2021, the group has been in a state of crisis. In January 2024, DSA leaders reportedly encouraged staff to resign in exchange for severance pay, and in August 2024, the group admitted its numbers had been “shrinking.”  , Daily Caller reported.

Further controversies have surrounded DSA’s political actions, including its outspoken anti-Israel stance following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks. The group received criticism even from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent Democrat and past endorsee of DSA. By July 2024, the DSA revoked its endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez, accusing her of being insufficiently critical of Israel, as covered by the Daily Caller.

Despite its internal troubles, the DSA claimed in August 2024 that backlash against its position on Israel had in some ways energized its base, stating that “working class radicalization” had bolstered its mission.

The exact amount of Greenberg’s retirement fund NYU allegedly intended to transfer to DSA remains uncertain. An attorney for Greenberg’s estate has not commented publicly on the case.

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