Governor Kathy Hochul’s lieutenant governor candidate, Adrienne Adams, directed $435,000 in taxpayer funds to a Brooklyn nonprofit now at the center of a federal corruption investigation involving migrant shelters and alleged kickback schemes.

Taxpayer Money Flows to Troubled Nonprofit

Adams, serving as New York City Council Speaker from 2022 to 2025, allocated $375,000 in discretionary funds to BHRAGS Home Care Inc. for senior and youth programs. She added another $60,000 for mental health services. Under her leadership, the Council distributed $544,900 total to the organization. BHRAGS received $185.4 million in no-bid city contracts since 2022 to operate emergency shelters for migrants and homeless individuals, according to NYC Comptroller records.

Federal Investigation Targets Multiple Officials

Federal authorities arrested BHRAGS executive director Roberto Samedy, former board chairman Jean Ronald Tirelus, and two associates on Tuesday for allegedly pocketing over $1 million in kickbacks from city-run migrant shelters. The investigation examines whether Councilwoman Farah Louis, her sister Deborah Louis who works as Hochul’s assistant secretary for NYC intergovernmental affairs, and others accepted bribes to boost BHRAGS funding. Hochul placed Deborah Louis on leave after learning about the probe. Neither the Louis sisters nor Adams face charges, but the funding patterns raise serious accountability questions.

Political Fallout Intensifies

Former Councilman Robert Holden demanded federal investigators scrutinize Adams, calling her funding decisions politically motivated rather than merit-based. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman questioned Hochul’s judgment in selecting Adams as her running mate, stating New Yorkers deserve immediate answers about the taxpayer money directed to the scandal-plagued company. Former Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala defended Adams, insisting her leadership demonstrated honor and integrity. The controversy erupts as Hochul seeks re-election with Adams on the ticket, potentially damaging their campaign’s credibility on government accountability and fiscal responsibility.