NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors are investigating a New York City Council member, Farah Louis, and her sister, Debbie Louis, who is an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, for potential bribery in connection with city funds appropriated to a migrant shelter provider. The investigation is connected to the services provided by BHRAGS Home Care Inc.
The search warrant signed on March 19 indicates that prosecutors are seeking evidence of criminal violations related to the use of city funds. Notably, Debbie Louis was placed on leave after the governor was informed of the ongoing federal investigation.
Edu Hermelyn, whose wife chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party, was also named in the warrant, which is significant as both the Louis sisters and Hermelyn are well-established figures within Brooklyn's Democratic community, which has faced multiple scandals in recent years.
BHRAGS received its first contract to operate an emergency migrant shelter in 2022 amidst an influx of asylum seekers to New York City. Since then, it has secured over a dozen contracts totaling more than $200 million for homeless services.
As the investigation continues, an attorney for the executive director of BHRAGS, Roberto Samedy, has declined to comment, and officials from the U.S. attorney's office have also refrained from providing statements. However, the existence of a search warrant suggests a significant level of interest from prosecutors, as they seek further evidence before considering any potential charges.
