NYC Dem, Hochul aide under investigation over alleged migrant shelter bribes Federal prosecutors are investigating Councilmember Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, for potential bribery or kickbacks related to city funding for a migrant shelter provider. The investigation is examining if they received benefits in exchange for actions favoring BHRAGS Home Care Inc., a nonprofit that secured over $200 million in city contracts for migrant services. The probe coincides with broader scrutiny of New York City’s contract awards during the migrant crisis.

• Federal prosecutors are investigating potential bribery and kickbacks involving NYC Councilmember Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
• The investigation centers on city funding directed to BHRAGS Home Care Inc., a provider of migrant shelter services.
• Investigators are examining whether Louis and her sister received benefits in exchange for actions taken on behalf of BHRAGS.
• BHRAGS has received over $200 million in city contracts since expanding its services to asylum seekers in 2022.
• Debbie Louis has been placed on leave by Governor Hochul’s office.
• The probe is part of broader scrutiny of how New York City awarded emergency shelter contracts during the migrant crisis.
• Records related to former NYPD sergeant Edouardo St. Fort, whose firm secured a $3 million contract, are also being sought.