Federal authorities have arrested four people in connection with an investigation into a Brooklyn nonprofit that received lucrative city contracts to open homeless shelters in New York City.
FILE - New York Councilwoman Farah Louis speaks during a celebration ceremony for the refurbished George Floyd statue, after it was vandalized following its Juneteenth installation, July 22, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
an investigation into a Brooklyn nonprofit that received lucrative city contracts to open homeless shelters in New York City, a person familiar with the investigation confirmed to The Associated Press. Investigators are also examining whether City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks related to the appropriation of city funds to the nonprofit, according to a search warrant viewed by The Associated Press.The nonprofit, BHRAGS Home Care Corp., has received around $200 million in city contracts to operate homeless shelters since 2022, including some emergency facilities that were opened in response to an influx of migrants. Among those arrested Tuesday were BHRAGS President Jean Ronald Tirelus and its executive director, Roberto Samedy, according to the official, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. Edouardo St. Fort, a retired New York City police sergeant who ran a security company linked to BHRAGS, is also in custody in Massachusetts, records show. A fourth vendor, Miguel Jorge, was in custody Tuesday, the official said. An attorney listed for St. Fort did not return a request for comment. Samedy’s attorney declined to comment. Information about attorneys for the other two men was not immediately available., signed March 19, seeking information about and communications between BHRAGS, and Farah and Debbie Louis.According to St. Fort’s arrest warrant, he is under indictment on charges of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, bribery involving programs receiving federal funds, and violating a law prohibiting interstate travel for unlawful activities. A security company run by St. Fort, Fort NYC Security, worked as a subcontractor for BHRAGS. Since 2023, the city has agreed to pay more than $7 million to Fort NYC Security to provide security services at homeless shelters. Records from the city comptroller’s office show that five of the six contracts awarded to Fort NYC Security were done so on an emergency basis, meaning the city did not have to solicit bids and award them to the lowest responsible bidder. According to the search warrant, prosecutors are seeking information about whether the Louis sisters and a third individual, Edu Hermelyn, received benefits in exchange for actions taken on behalf of BHRAGS. Edu Hermelyn is the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party.A spokesperson for the City Council said the legislative body “takes any potential misconduct extremely seriously.” “New Yorkers deserve confidence in their government,” the spokesperson said. “It is essential that the federal investigation proceed fairly and expeditiously to bring this matter to a resolution.”The existence of a search warrant doesn’t necessarily indicate that prosecutors plan to bring criminal charges, only that investigators persuaded a magistrate judge to allow them to dig deeper and seize evidence. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own lifeNo active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in BulverdeCity of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdictionAtascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vuProposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave artAdam Caskey has your Weather Authority cold front forecastHundreds of millions of dollars lost each year to scams at crypto ATMsBank teller and police officer help stop a scamFamily of Matthew Guerra reacts to guilty verdictFamily reacts to guilty verdict in Christopher Preciado trialVerdict reached in Christopher Preciado capital murder trialCastle Hills police department says the armed suspect shot this morning has diedHow to find accurate TSA wait times at airports around the countryRecords show New Braunfels ISD pulling, restricting more books than it has publicly listedResidents hope to stave off light pollution caused by rapid growth of nearby San Antonio74 year old woman hit crossing South General McMullenLake Placid and Lake McQueeney are coming back after sitting emptyNew emissions test could cost Bexar County vehicle ownersVictims’ families sound off on Bexar County DA after accused double murderer gets 50-year sentenceVictims’ families sound off on Bexar County DA after accused double murderer gets 50-year sentenceSan Antonio attorney admits stealing over half a million dollars from children's inheritance.Arrest made in deadly car racing accidentSpurs respond after viral video at game sparks backlashIs the 'smokable' hemp market about to be set ablaze?
Kathy Hochul Debbie Louis Roberto Samedy Miguel Jorge U.S. News Jean Ronald Tirelus
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