Armed federal investigators raided the home of two sisters — one a New York City Councilwoman and the other an aide to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul — following allegations they took bribes linked to migrant shelter funding.
The agents, some wielding guns, arrived at the residences of Democratic City Councilwoman Farah Louis and Hochul administration Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs Debbie Louis on March 23, four days after they were named in a warrant, Politico reported Thursday, citing the sisters’ mother. The reported raid and warrant came amid an investigation into whether the Louis sisters and Edu Hermelyn, whose wife is a state assemblywoman and chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party, received bribes in exchange for supporting migrant shelter provider BHRAGS Home Care Inc.
Farah Louis, the longest consecutively serving member of the New York City Council, had set aside over $70,000 in city spending for BHRAGS, according to city records, Politico first reported.
Vesta Louis, the sisters’ mother, told Politico that she believes her daughters are innocent stating, “We are a Christian family, we don’t deal with monkey business.”
“We deal with church and God and our jobs,” the mother said.
Spokespersons for Councilwoman Louis and Hochul did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment. The DCNF also left a message for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The family matriarch also told Politico that her daughters are “scared to stay home” due to the probe.
“They’re just speechless, they can’t talk. Can you imagine? You’re sleeping in your bed, and you saw a bunch of people walking into your bedroom with guns?” she told the outlet.
Mrs. Louis sent a photo of the damaged doorframe at Councilwoman Louis’ home to Politico, adding that the agents had busted it before sunrise while the Democratic politician was sleeping. However, an anonymous source told Politico that the lawmaker had refused to open the door without first conferring with her attorney.
The Louis’ mother also told the outlet that the raid on Debbie Louis’ home happened when the Hochul aide’s four-year-old daughter was home, and that Debbie Louis’ husband had let the agents in.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York on Tuesday indicted four men in connection with the BHRAGS probe, including former BHRAGS executive director Roberto Samedy.
A spokesperson for BHRAGS told the DCNF that Samedy “is on administrative leave” and the organization has been “fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
“For more than 50 years, BHRAGS has served New Yorkers in need with integrity and the highest ethical standards, and we take the allegations against Mr. Samedy seriously,” the spokesperson added. “Frances Pierre, BHRAGS’ Chief Operating and Strategy Officer, has assumed the role of Executive Director and will continue our critical work empowering marginalized individuals with compassion.”
Samedy donated $875 to Councilwoman Louis’ campaign, Politico reported.
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