Federal authorities have made four arrests as part of a widening corruption investigation targeting a Brooklyn nonprofit that secured substantial city contracts to manage homeless shelters in New York City. The probe centers on allegations involving the appropriation of city funds intended for these vital services.

Key Figures and Nonprofit Under Scrutiny

BHRAGS Home Care Corp. Contracts

The nonprofit organization at the heart of the investigation is BHRAGS Home Care Corp. Since 2022, the organization has reportedly secured approximately $200 million in city contracts. These funds were designated for operating various homeless shelters, including emergency facilities established in response to the recent influx of migrants.

Individuals Taken Into Custody

According to an anonymous source familiar with the ongoing investigation, four people were arrested on Tuesday. Those taken into custody include BHRAGS President Jean Ronald Tirelus and the organization's executive director, Roberto Samedy. A fourth vendor, Miguel Jorge, was also confirmed to be in custody that day.

Additionally, Edouardo St. Fort, a retired NYPD sergeant whose security company worked with BHRAGS, is currently in custody in Massachusetts, according to official records. Attorneys for Samedy declined to comment, while information regarding counsel for the other arrested individuals was not immediately available.

Allegations Involving City Officials

Examining Potential Bribery

Investigators are reportedly looking into whether City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, accepted bribes or kickbacks. Debbie Louis currently serves as an aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. This examination is directly related to the allocation of city funds to the BHRAGS nonprofit.

A search warrant viewed by The Associated Press indicates prosecutors are seeking communications between BHRAGS and the Louis sisters, signed on March 19. The warrant also seeks information regarding whether the sisters and a third individual received benefits in exchange for actions favoring BHRAGS.

Security Vendor's Role and Emergency Contracts

Edouardo St. Fort’s security company, Fort NYC Security, functioned as a subcontractor for BHRAGS. City records show that since 2023, the city agreed to pay Fort NYC Security over $7 million for security services at the shelters. Five of the six contracts awarded to St. Fort’s company were processed on an emergency basis.

This emergency designation allowed the city to bypass the standard bidding process that requires awarding contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. St. Fort’s arrest warrant details indictments for conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, bribery involving federally funded programs, and violating laws regarding interstate travel for unlawful activities.

Broader Connections and Official Response

The search warrant also names Edu Hermelyn, who is the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. Prosecutors are investigating if Hermelyn received benefits in exchange for actions benefiting BHRAGS.

A spokesperson for the City Council stated that the legislative body views any potential misconduct with extreme seriousness. The spokesperson emphasized the necessity for the federal investigation to proceed fairly and quickly to reach a resolution, assuring the public that New Yorkers deserve confidence in their government.

It is important to note that the existence of a search warrant does not confirm that prosecutors intend to file criminal charges; rather, it signifies that investigators successfully convinced a magistrate judge to authorize the seizure of evidence for deeper examination.