Something doesn’t add up.
A nonprofit at the center of a federal corruption investigation has received more than $200 million in city contracts since 2022. Federal prosecutors have already charged its former executive director and former board chairman with allegedly embezzling more than $1.3 million and accepting kickbacks.
According to public reports:
Council Member
@FarahNLouis directed more than $450,000 in discretionary taxpayer funding to the nonprofit BHRAGS over five years.
Federal agents executed searches at the homes of Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, a top aide to
@GovKathyHochul. Neither has been charged with wrongdoing.
Federal search warrants reportedly identified Debbie Louis and Edu Hermelyn, husband of
@AMBichotte and a figure, as part of an investigation examining whether benefits were received in exchange for actions taken on behalf of BHRAGS. No charges have been filed against them.
Despite all of this, BHRAGS was recently awarded roughly another $200 million in city contracts.
So New Yorkers have every right to ask:
Is there a connection between the taxpayer funding, the political relationships, and the contracts?
Why did the money keep flowing despite repeated warning signs?
And where is the New York State Comptroller?
Where is the audit? Where is the forensic review? Where is the watchdog that taxpayers are paying for?
When I am Comptroller, I will shine a bright light on this and work with prosecutors to charge every single corrupt person irrespective of title.