Federal authorities have made four arrests in connection with a growing corruption investigation centered on a Brooklyn nonprofit that secured substantial city contracts to operate homeless shelters across New York City. The probe is reportedly linked to both a sitting New York City Council member and an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul.

Key Figures and Arrests in the Investigation

The nonprofit organization at the heart of the inquiry is BHRAGS Home Care Corp. Since 2022, BHRAGS has obtained approximately $200 million in city contracts, including emergency facilities established due to the recent influx of migrants into the city.

Individuals Taken Into Custody

Among those arrested on Tuesday were Jean Ronald Tirelus, the President of BHRAGS, and Roberto Samedy, the organization's executive director, according to a person familiar with the ongoing investigation.

Also in custody is Edouardo St. Fort, a retired New York City police sergeant who managed a security firm associated with BHRAGS. Records confirm St. Fort is currently detained in Massachusetts. A fourth vendor, identified as Miguel Jorge, was also taken into custody on Tuesday.

Details of the Charges and Security Contracts

St. Fort's arrest warrant details serious federal charges. These include conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, bribery related to programs receiving federal funds, and violating laws prohibiting interstate travel for illicit activities.

St. Fort’s company, Fort NYC Security, operated as a subcontractor for BHRAGS. City comptroller records indicate that since 2023, the city agreed to pay Fort NYC Security over $7 million for security services at the shelters.

Emergency Contracting Practices Under Scrutiny

Significantly, five of the six contracts awarded to Fort NYC Security were processed on an emergency basis. This designation allowed the city to bypass standard competitive bidding procedures that usually require awarding contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.

Links to City Lawmaker and Governor's Aide

The federal investigation is also examining potential connections involving City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, who serves as an aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Neither sister was among those arrested on Tuesday.

A search warrant signed on March 19 named all four arrested individuals, seeking communications and information between BHRAGS and both Farah and Debbie Louis. Prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether the Louis sisters, along with a third individual named Edu Hermelyn, received benefits in exchange for actions favoring BHRAGS.

Edu Hermelyn is the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who currently chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party. The existence of a search warrant signifies that investigators have convinced a judge to allow deeper evidence seizure, though it does not guarantee future criminal charges.

Official Response

A spokesperson for the City Council stated that the legislative body “takes any potential misconduct extremely seriously.” The spokesperson emphasized the need for the federal investigation to proceed “fairly and expeditiously to bring this matter to a resolution,” affirming that New Yorkers require confidence in their government.