Federal authorities have arrested four individuals in connection with a corruption investigation involving a Brooklyn nonprofit that received over $200 million in city contracts to operate homeless shelters in New York City. The investigation is examining whether City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis—a top aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul—accepted bribes or kickbacks related to the allocation of city funds to the nonprofit, BHRAGS Home Care Corp. The sisters were not among those arrested.
Among those arrested were BHRAGS President Jean Ronald Tirelus and its executive director, Roberto Samedy. A retired NYPD sergeant, Edouardo St. Fort, was also indicted on bribery charges linked to the probe. St. Fort’s company, Fort NYC Security, provided security services to migrant shelters and was a subcontractor to BHRAGS and another nonprofit, Bronx Family Network Inc.
The investigation stems from a March 19 search warrant that sought evidence of possible criminal violations involving the Louis sisters and the husband of Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. The warrant alleges that the trio may have received benefits in exchange for supporting BHRAGS, which expanded its operations to include migrant shelters in 2022 amid a surge in asylum seekers. Debbie Louis has been placed on leave by Hochul’s office.
A spokesperson for the New York City Council stated that any potential misconduct is taken seriously, emphasizing the need for public confidence in government. Meanwhile, a political insider tied to Bichotte Hermelyn called the investigation 'political persecution' driven by the 'far-right,' claiming the case would ultimately be dismissed.
BHRAGS has received multiple contracts from the city’s Department of Homeless Services, including emergency facilities for migrants. Fort NYC Security was awarded over $7 million in contracts for security services, with five of six contracts issued on an emergency basis, bypassing standard procurement procedures.
The investigation remains ongoing, with no formal charges yet filed against the Louis sisters or Hermelyn’s husband.