Federal prosecutors investigating NYC Council member, Hochul aide for taking bribes to help migrant shelter provider
Share this @internewscast.com

Federal prosecutors are currently investigating a Brooklyn Council member, her sister, and the husband of a Democratic state Assembly member to determine if they were involved in a bribery scheme connected to a migrant shelter provider. This provider has notably secured $200 million in city contracts, as reported recently.

At the center of this inquiry is Democratic Councilwoman Farah Louis alongside her sister, Debbie Louis, who had been serving as an assistant secretary for New York City intergovernmental affairs under Governor Kathy Hochul. Both women were specifically mentioned in a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press, which seeks evidence of potential criminal activities.

Additionally implicated is Edu Hermelyn, who is married to state Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. His name also appeared in the search warrant approved on March 19.

The investigation is focused on whether these three influential Brooklyn Democrats accepted kickbacks in return for actions favorable to BHRAGS Home Care Inc. Originally a Brooklyn-based home service provider, BHRAGS has transitioned into a provider of migrant shelter services.

BHRAGS received its inaugural contract to operate an emergency migrant shelter in 2022 amidst the city’s migrant crisis. Since then, it has been awarded over a dozen contracts for homeless services, accumulating more than $200 million in funding, according to reports by the Associated Press.

However, a Brooklyn insider and ally of Bichotte Hermelyn has suggested that the investigation might be politically motivated, casting a shadow of doubt on the intentions behind the probe.

“This is political persecution driven by the far-right, targeting immigrants and the leaders who stand with them,” the insider told The Post. “There are no charges at this time, and the facts will ultimately lead to this case being dropped on its merits.”

The feds executed several raids in connection with the probe, sources told The Post.

Debbie Louis was placed on leave immediately after the governor’s office was informed of the federal investigation, a Hochul spokesperson told The Post.

Sources familiar with the probe said the investigation does not involve her role at the governor’s office or state funds.

Attempts to reach Farah Louis and Bichotte Hermelyn were unsuccessful.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
City manager 'begged' fired Cincinnati police chief for more officers on street as crime skyrocketed

City Manager Urgently Requested Additional Officers from Dismissed Cincinnati Police Chief Amid Rising Crime Rates

Cincinnati’s former police chief, Teresa Theetge, who previously faced a lawsuit from…
California man accused of killing ex-wife and new boyfriend makes bold move in chilling  body-cam video

Chilling Body-Cam Footage Reveals California Man’s Shocking Move in Ex-Wife and Boyfriend Murder Case

Footage from a body camera reveals the subdued arrest of a 43-year-old…
Former North Carolina police officer accused of threatening mass shooting at New Orleans festival

Ex-North Carolina Police Officer Faces Allegations of Threatening Mass Shooting at New Orleans Festival

A former police officer from North Carolina was taken into custody late…
17 charged across New England after massive coordinated street takeover wreaks havoc in suburban Boston town

17 Arrested in New England After Major Street Takeover Disrupts Boston Suburb

Authorities in Massachusetts have apprehended 17 individuals from New England in connection…
Oklahoma tornado barrels through Enid, damaging homes and shutting down roads

Tornado Strikes Enid, Oklahoma: Homes Damaged and Roads Closed

On Thursday, a devastating tornado tore through Oklahoma, ripping the roofs off…
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Wauconda High School Career Advisor and College of Lake County Employee, Adam Faulkner, Faces Charges of Grooming and Solicitation

In Wauconda, Illinois, troubling news has emerged from the local high school,…
Lawmakers send letter demanding 'immediate action' on California's fuel crisis

Urgent Call to Action: Lawmakers Demand Swift Resolution to California’s Fuel Crisis

Bipartisan state lawmakers in California are pressing the state’s energy authorities to…
California ‘basic income’ experiment fails to provide ‘financial independence,’ study finds

California’s Basic Income Trial Falls Short on Promised Financial Independence, Study Reveals

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals…
Mexican Mafia turned American neighborhoods into ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ with murders, kidnappings, drugs: feds

Federal Authorities Report Mexican Mafia’s Role in Transforming U.S. Neighborhoods with Crime and Drugs

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, federal authorities announced Thursday the…
Iran has 'open window' to negotiate, but 'clock is not on their side,' Pete Hegseth says

Pete Hegseth: Iran Faces Time-Sensitive Opportunity for Diplomatic Negotiations

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently addressed the potential for negotiations with…
Trump calls for 2020 presidential election to be 'permanently wiped from the books' if Southern Poverty Law Center convicted of fraud

Trump Urges Erasure of 2020 Election Results Amid Controversy Involving Southern Poverty Law Center

On Friday, former President Trump suggested that the 2020 election should be…
NTSB report details how controller decision and tech failures led to deadly runway collision

NTSB Report Reveals Controller Decisions and Technical Failures Contributed to Fatal Runway Collision

A recent federal investigation has uncovered a series of safety lapses that…