Joseph Maligno is a Staten Island-based Republican activist who became involved with the New York State Young Republicans while working in New York’s court system. He used Telegram and other encrypted messaging tools to coordinate with fellow activists during internal party leadership contests.

Political Activity

Maligno aided campaign logistics for the RESTOREYR slate, the group of New York-aligned organizers who sought to lead the Young Republican National Federation in 2024 and 2025. He previously identified himself online as part of the New York State Young Republicans’ operations team and as an employee in the chambers of Staten Island Judge Mary Kavanagh.

2025 Telegram Leak

A Politico investigation published in October 2025 included Maligno’s messages from a private Telegram chat, where he joked about gas chambers and used racist slurs while discussing campaign tactics. Following the leak, New York’s Office of Court Administration confirmed Maligno no longer worked for the judiciary, and Republican officials denounced the rhetoric captured in the chat logs.