Feds Probe Hochul Aide, City Councilwoman Sister For Alleged Migrant Shelter Bribery Scheme

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether an aide to Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the aide’s politician sister accepted bribes connected to migrant shelter funding in the city, according to a report.

Debbie Louis, the Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Hochul administration, and her sister, New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis, were both named in a federal warrant signed March 19, the Associated Press first reported late Monday. The warrant, reportedly obtained by the AP, also names the husband of Brooklyn Democratic Party chair and New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

Federal authorities are investigating whether the Louis sisters and Mr. Hermelyn received bribes or kickbacks in return for their support of BHRAGS Home Care Inc., a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that in 2022 expanded its scope to provide homeless and migrant shelters, the AP reported. In the past few years, the organization has received a total of $200 million in New York City contracts.

Mr. Hermelyn had, over the past few years, solicited multiple members of the City Council over the phone, asking them to allocate money to the nonprofit, Politico reported on Monday, citing an anonymous source. The Democratic lawmaker’s husband, who previously worked in the administration of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams and on the failed mayoral campaign of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, had an unclear relationship with the migrant shelter provided, per the outlet’s source.

Spokespersons for Hochul, Councilwoman Louis and Bichotte Hermelyn did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

“The Council takes any potential misconduct extremely seriously,” a spokesperson for the New York City Council told the DCNF in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve confidence in their government. It is essential that the federal investigation proceed fairly and expeditiously to bring this matter to a resolution.”

Louis represents a City Council district in Southern Brooklyn that partially overlaps Bichotte Hermelyn’s state assembly district. First elected in a 2019 special election, Louis is currently the longest-serving member of the City Council, which has term limits for its members.

Over her seven years in office, Louis earmarked at least $71,000 in city spending for BHRAGS, Politico reported citing city records.

Debbie Louis has served in her current role as Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs since January 2025, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has consecutively served in the Hochul administration since April 2023, including previously as Director of NYC Intergovernmental Affairs and Brooklyn Regional Representative for the governor’s New York State Executive Chamber.

A Hochul spokesperson told the AP that Louis was placed on leave during the previous week, after the governor had become aware of the federal probe.

“As an organizational strategist with over a decade of experience, I assist my clients in executing their vision and streamlining their processes,” states the “About” section of Louis’ LinkedIn profile, which also specifies that her preferred pronouns are “She/Her.”

“Debbie also works with several non-profits and individuals to jump-start their programs and to create opportunities for them to be sustainable,” states the Hochul aide’s biography on the New York City government’s Language Assistance Advisory Committee webpage.

“Through its network of emergency shelters, BHRAGS aims to maintain home stability, avoid repeated shelter stays, and encourage self-sufficiency,” according to the nonprofit’s website. “If you need a safe place to sleep in New York City, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will provide shelter. An emergency shelter is a temporary facility providing housing for individuals and families with children who lack other housing options.”