Federal authorities are examining whether two sisters holding prominent political positions in New York accepted illegal payments connected to city funding for migrant shelter operations, according to search warrant documents obtained by news outlets.
The investigation targets Brooklyn Democrat Councilmember Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, who works as Governor Kathy Hochul’s assistant secretary for New York City intergovernmental affairs. The March 19 search warrant also identifies Edu Hermelyn, married to state Assembly member and Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.
Governor Hochul’s office confirmed that Debbie Louis was suspended from her position last week following the discovery of the federal corruption probe. Attempts to reach Louis for comment were unsuccessful, and neither Farah Louis nor Edu Hermelyn responded to requests for statements.
According to the warrant documentation, investigators are examining whether the three individuals received compensation for actions benefiting BHRAGS Home Care Inc., a Brooklyn company that previously specialized in home healthcare services.
The company secured its initial emergency migrant shelter contract in 2022 when asylum seekers began arriving in large numbers throughout the city. Since then, BHRAGS has obtained more than twelve contracts for homeless assistance programs valued at over $200 million combined.
Roberto Samedy, the executive director of BHRAGS, declined to provide comment through his legal representative.
Brooklyn’s U.S. attorney’s office also refused to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Legal experts note that search warrant approval does not guarantee criminal charges will follow, but indicates investigators convinced a federal magistrate that evidence gathering was warranted.
All three individuals under scrutiny maintain significant roles within Brooklyn’s Democratic organization, which has encountered multiple controversies recently.
Hermelyn previously worked as a senior advisor to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams but stepped down amid concerns that his Brooklyn district leadership role created conflicts with city employment regulations.
Following his departure from city government, he provided consultation services to former Governor Andrew Cuomo during his unsuccessful mayoral campaign.
