Trending Now - Federal Investigation Targets Hochul Aide and NYC Councilwoman in Bribery Case
WHO:
IJR - Aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and NYC Councilmember Farah Louis are under investigation.
AP News - Councilmember Farah Louis, a Brooklyn Democrat, and her sister Debbie Louis, who is an aide to Hochul, are involved in the investigation.
AP News - Edu Hermelyn, husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, is also named in the investigation.
WHAT:
AP News - Four individuals connected to BHRAGS Home Care Corp. were arrested on March 31st, 2026, as part of the federal investigation, including the executive director Roberto Samedy and former board chairman Jean Ronald Tirelus.
AP News - The indictment alleges that Samedy and Tirelus stole over $1.3 million from BHRAGS, including $800,000 intended for economic growth and affordable housing.
AP News - The indictment also states that Samedy and Tirelus received over $200,000 in kickbacks and bribes in exchange for steering contracts to businesses controlled by Edouardo St. Fort and Miguel Jorge.
IJR - Federal prosecutors are investigating potential bribery related to migrant shelter funding.
Fox News - The investigation focuses on whether bribes were accepted in connection with migrant shelter contracts.
AP News - The search warrant seeks evidence of possible criminal violations involving the three individuals and their actions on behalf of BHRAGS Home Care Inc.
AP News - BHRAGS Home Care Inc. has received over $200 million in contracts from the Department of Homeless Services since 2022.
WHERE:
IJR - The investigation is taking place in New York City.
AP News - BHRAGS Home Care Inc. is based in Brooklyn, New York.
WHEN:
AP News - The search warrant was signed on March 19th, 2026.
AP News - Debbie Louis was placed on leave last week, which would be the week of March 24th, 2026.
AP News - The nonprofit BHRAGS expanded its mission in 2022 to include emergency shelters for migrants.
WHY:
AP News - The investigation is related to the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider amid an influx of asylum seekers.
HOW:
AP News - The investigation was initially referred to authorities by the city’s Department of Social Services due to concerns about payments made by BHRAGS to St. Fort's security company, Fort NYC Security.
AP News - The warrant seeks records of money transfers and communications between the officials and Edouardo St. Fort, a former NYPD sergeant.
(UPDATED April 1, 2026 01:22 UTC)
Four individuals connected to BHRAGS Home Care Corp. were arrested on Tuesday, including executive director Roberto Samedy and former board chairman Jean Ronald Tirelus, as part of a federal investigation. The indictment alleges that Samedy and Tirelus stole over $1.3 million from BHRAGS, with $800,000 meant for economic growth and affordable housing, and also received over $200,000 in kickbacks and bribes for steering contracts to businesses controlled by Edouardo St. Fort and Miguel Jorge. This investigation was initially referred to authorities by the city’s Department of Social Services due to concerns about payments made by BHRAGS to St. Fort's security company, Fort NYC Security.
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(UPDATED March 31, 2026 17:22 UTC)
Federal prosecutors are investigating potential bribery related to migrant shelter funding in New York City, involving Brooklyn Councilmember Farah Louis, her sister Debbie Louis, who is an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, and Edu Hermelyn, the husband of Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. The investigation focuses on whether bribes were accepted in connection with contracts awarded to BHRAGS Home Care Inc., which has received over $200 million from the Department of Homeless Services since 2022. A search warrant signed March 19th seeks evidence of possible criminal violations, including records of money transfers and communications between the officials and a former NYPD sergeant.