Federal prosecutors are looking into whether Debbie Lewis, sister of a New York City council member and an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes and kickbacks concerning city funding for immigrant shelters. This information comes from a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press.
The warrant, issued on March 19, targets Brooklyn Democratic Representative Farrah Lewis, her sister Debbie, and Edu Hamelin, who is married to the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. A spokesperson for Hochul mentioned that Debbie was put on leave after the investigation came to light. When the AP contacted her, the call was disconnected, and they also reported that messages left for both Farrah Lewis and Hamelin went unanswered.
The warrant states that investigators are examining whether the individuals involved received benefits in return for actions taken concerning BHRAGS Home Care Inc. This nonprofit organization, based in Brooklyn, has historically offered home care services to the elderly and sick. With the rise in immigrant numbers in New York City during 2022, BHRAGS expanded its operations to include emergency shelters, winning over a dozen contracts worth around $200 million from the city’s Department of Homeless Services.
A political insider linked to Hamelin claimed this investigation is a form of political persecution targeting migrants and their supporters. They asserted that no charges have been filed so far and expressed confidence that the facts would eventually lead to a dismissal of the case.
The warrant also looks for financial records and communications related to Eduardo St. Fort, a former New York City Police Department Sergeant who retired last year. Records indicate that his company secured a $3 million contract from the Department of Homeless Services the same year he retired. Efforts to reach St. Fort for comments were also unsuccessful.
It’s important to note that the existence of a warrant doesn’t guarantee immediate prosecution—it only shows that the investigators have convinced a judge of the need for a search to gather evidence.
This inquiry occurs amid heightened scrutiny regarding how New York City manages its contracts for emergency shelters during the immigration crisis, which has prompted rapid expansions in shelter capacity through private providers. Critics have raised questions about the speed and oversight of these contracts.
All the individuals named in the warrant are linked to Brooklyn’s Democratic political sphere, which has been facing multiple ethics-related controversies in recent times. Hamelin, who previously advised Mayor Eric Adams, stepped down amid concerns over potential conflicts of interest with dual government roles. He also continued to consult for former Governor Andrew Cuomo during his recent mayoral campaign.
The Trump administration, through the efforts of Vice President J.D. Vance, has made federal investigations a priority nationwide. Recently, the Treasury Department announced initiatives aimed at encouraging whistleblowers to report fraud, with incentives ranging from 10% to 30% of financial penalties collected for successful actions. This week, they reported already receiving over 700 leads.
While previous issues within Minnesota’s Somali community have been highlighted through independent reporting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the state for its level of transparency, contrasting it with what he called a lack of openness in California or New York.
