4 arrested in corruption investigation linked to NYC homeless shelter operator: AP Source
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Four individuals connected to BHRAGS Home Care Corp., a Brooklyn nonprofit awarded about $200 million in city contracts for homeless shelters, were arrested as part of a federal investigation into potential corruption.
- The investigation is probing whether City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks related to city funds appropriated to BHRAGS; neither sister was arrested, though Debbie Louis has been placed on leave.
- Among those arrested are BHRAGS President Jean Ronald Tirelus, executive director Roberto Samedy, retired NYPD sergeant Edouardo St. Fort who ran a security subcontractor for BHRAGS, and vendor Miguel Jorge.
- Edouardo St. Fort faces charges including conspiracy, bribery involving federal funds, and unlawful interstate travel; his security company received over $7 million from the city, mostly through emergency contracts without competitive bidding.
- Prosecutors are also investigating whether Farah and Debbie Louis, along with Edu Hermelyn (husband of Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn), received benefits in exchange for actions favoring BHRAGS, though no charges have been announced yet.
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