Federal prosecutors are looking into several people over allegations that they took bribes in exchange for helping a migrant center.
According to a search warrant, obtained by the Associated Press, authorities were looking for “possible criminal violations involving Councilmember Farah Louis, a Brooklyn Democrat, and Debbie Louis, who serves as Hochul’s assistant secretary of New York City intergovernmental affairs.” Also named in the warrant was the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Edu Hermelyn, who serves as the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
“A spokesperson for Hochul confirmed that Debbie Louis was placed on leave last week after the governor learned of the federal corruption investigation. A person who answered a phone number listed for Louis promptly hung up after being asked about the probe,” The AP reported.
Specifically, the prosecutors are in search of information that might prove the three are involved in a bribery scheme, where they would have “received benefits in exchange for actions taken on behalf of BHRAGS Home Care Inc., a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that provides in-home services to the sick and elderly.”
“In 2022, as an influx of asylum seekers began arriving in the city, the nonprofit expanded its mission to include emergency shelters for migrants and other homeless services. Records show they have since received more than a dozen contracts, totaling over $200 million, from the Department of Homeless Services,” the outlet noted.
However, it’s worth noting that the existence and execution of a search warrant doesn’t necessarily imply that charges, criminal or civil, will follow, but that prosecutors were able to convince a judge that a deeper dive into the possibility of a bribe was necessary.
A Politico reporter added some information to the story in an X post:
Building on Jake’s reporting: Source tells us Bichotte Hermelyn’s husband has directly urged Council members to steer discretionary funds to the shelter provider. Louis has herself given at least $71K to the provider.
w/ @JasonBeeferman & @NickReisman https://t.co/SMQw1TeXQr https://t.co/rBOiYm5qH5 pic.twitter.com/R3QcBVr4JB
— Chris Sommerfeldt (@C_Sommerfeldt) March 31, 2026
“Building on Jake’s reporting: Source tells us Bichotte Hermelyn’s husband has directly urged Council members to steer discretionary funds to the shelter provider. Louis has herself given at least $71K to the provider,” Chris Sommerfeldt wrote.
Meanwhile, those who oppose the investigation are already pointing fingers.
“This is political persecution driven by the far-right, targeting immigrants and the leaders who stand with them,” the insider, and ally of Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, ranted to The New York Post. “There are no charges at this time, and the facts will ultimately lead to this case being dropped on its merits.”
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- Feds investigating Hochul’s assistant over allegations bribes were taken in exchange for helping a migrant center - March 31, 2026
- Feds investigating Hochul’s assistant over allegations bribes were taken in exchange for helping a migrant center - March 31, 2026
- Feds investigating Hochul’s assistant over allegations bribes were taken in exchange for helping a migrant center - March 31, 2026
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