Federal Agents Raid Homes of NYC Council Member and Her Sister

Federal agents recently conducted raids at the homes of two sisters in New York City—one being a City Council member and the other an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul. They are facing allegations of accepting bribes connected to funds intended for an immigrant shelter.

On March 23, agents, some of whom were armed, arrived at the residences of Councilmember Farrah Lewis and her sister, Debbie Lewis, who works as Hochul’s assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs. This occurred just four days after they were named in the warrant, as reported by sources referencing the sisters’ mother. The investigation pertains to whether state Representative and Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Edu Harmelin accepted bribes in exchange for supporting the immigrant shelter provider, BHRAGS Home Care Inc.

Farrah Lewis, the longest-serving member of the City Council, had allocated over $70,000 in city funding for BHRAGS, according to initial reports.

Their mother, Vesta Ruiz, expressed her belief in her daughters’ innocence, stating, “We are a Christian family and we are not in the monkey business.” She emphasized their dedication to their faith and responsibilities.

Spokespeople for both Councilmember Lewis and Governor Hochul did not respond promptly to inquiries. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York also did not provide any comments.

Ruiz mentioned that her daughters felt unsafe at home due to the investigation, conveying their shock at the situation: “They’re just speechless and can’t speak. Can you imagine? You’re sleeping in your bed and you see a bunch of people come into your bedroom with guns?”

Ruiz shared a photo of the damaged door frame at Farrah Lewis’ residence, indicating that agents had forcibly entered while she was asleep. Sources claimed that Lewis refused to open the door without first speaking with her lawyer.

Additionally, Ruiz noted that the incident at Debbie Lewis’ home took place while her 4-year-old daughter was present, and her husband was the one who let the agents inside.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced indictments for four men involved in the BHRAGS investigation, including former Executive Director Roberto Samedi. A spokesperson for BHRAGS stated he is currently on administrative leave and assured that the organization is cooperating with law enforcement.

The spokesperson reaffirmed BHRAGS’ commitment to serving New Yorkers with integrity and noted that the organization has taken the allegations against Samedi seriously. They announced that Francis Pierre, the Chief Operating Officer, will step in as Executive Director to continue their vital services.

Interestingly, reports indicated that Samedi had donated $875 to Farrah Lewis’ campaign, adding another layer to this unfolding situation.