In 2011, the "New York Daily News" reported that Golden spent just under $40,000 in campaign funds at the Bay Ridge Manor, a catering hall in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, that is owned by Golden's brother. Golden is the former owner of the business, but sold it to his brother in 2002. As of August 2011, Golden still owned the building that housed the business and still received rent from his brother for the Bay Ridge Manor. An investigation revealed that since Golden became Senator in 2002, he had paid $355,000 in campaign money to the Bay Ridge Manor. Golden denied nepotism, but was criticized by Michael Murphy, Susan Lerner, and other politicians for this action. In 2014, Golden's campaign finances were the subject of an investigation by then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. In December 2017, the Albany Times Union reported that Golden had spent more than $797,000 in campaign funds at the Bay Ridge Manor.