Overview
- An FBI search warrant, signed March 19 and obtained by the Associated Press, seeks phone evidence and names Councilmember Farah Louis, her sister Debbie Louis, and Brooklyn political operative Edu Hermelyn.
- Prosecutors are examining whether the three accepted bribes or other benefits to help BHRAGS Home Care Inc., which pivoted from home care to running migrant shelters in 2022 and later secured more than a dozen city contracts worth over $200 million.
- Debbie Louis was placed on leave from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office after officials learned of the federal investigation, according to a spokesperson.
- No charges have been announced, the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn declined to comment, and attempts to reach Farah Louis and Hermelyn for comment were not returned.
- Coverage diverged, with the New York Post citing anonymous claims of federal raids that other outlets have not confirmed, reflecting the political sensitivity around Brooklyn’s party network and emergency contracting.