NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors are investigating whether a New York City Council member and her sister, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider, according to a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press. The warrant, signed March 19, seeks evidence of possible criminal violations involving Councilmember Farah Louis, a Brooklyn Democrat, and her sister Debbie Louis, who serves as Hochul's assistant secretary. Prosecutors are also looking into Edu Hermelyn, the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. A spokesperson for Hochul confirmed that Debbie Louis was placed on leave last week after the investigation was made known. The warrant indicates that the trio may have received benefits from BHRAGS Home Care Inc., which has been awarded many contracts for homeless services totaling over $200 million amidst an influx of asylum seekers.
New York Council Member Under Investigation for Possible Bribery
A federal investigation is probing New York City Council member Farah Louis and her sister regarding allegations of bribery linked to migrant shelter funding.
Federal prosecutors are investigating Brooklyn Councilmember Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, for potential bribery in relation to city funds allocated to a shelter provider for migrants. The investigation involves allegations that they accepted kickbacks from BHRAGS Home Care Inc., which has received contracts exceeding $200 million to manage homeless services. Both sisters and Edu Hermelyn are significant figures in Brooklyn's Democratic Party, and the inquiry follows a series of controversies in the committee. Louis has been placed on leave as the probe continues.
