4 Charged in NYC Homeless Shelter Corruption Probe

Leaders of nonprofit accused of embezzling $1.3M, steering contracts to favored vendors

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:36pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a stack of cash and financial documents lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the misuse of public funds intended for social services.A corruption investigation exposes the misuse of funds intended to help the homeless in New York City.NYC Today

Federal prosecutors have charged the executive director and former board chairman of a New York City homeless shelter nonprofit, BHRAGS Home Care Corp., with embezzling $1.3 million from the taxpayer-backed organization and steering millions in contracts to favored vendors in exchange for bribes and kickbacks. Two other individuals were also charged in the corruption investigation.

Why it matters

The charges highlight ongoing issues of public corruption and misuse of funds intended to help vulnerable populations in New York City, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the city's social services sector.

The details

According to the indictment, BHRAGS Executive Director Roberto Samedy and former Board Chairman Jean Ronald Tirelus embezzled $800,000 earmarked for 'economic growth and affordable housing' and received over $200,000 in kickbacks for steering millions in contracts to businesses controlled by Edouardo St. Fort and Miguel Jorge. The investigation also involves whether City Council Member Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to the governor, accepted bribes related to the appropriation of city funds to BHRAGS.

  • The charges were unsealed on March 31, 2026.
  • The search warrant was signed on March 19, 2026.

The players

Roberto Samedy

The 50-year-old executive director of BHRAGS Home Care Corp., a nonprofit focused on home health care and homeless shelters.

Jean Ronald Tirelus

The 50-year-old former board chairman of BHRAGS Home Care Corp.

Edouardo St. Fort

A former New York City police sergeant who runs Fort NYC Security, a company that has received over $7 million in city contracts to provide security services at homeless shelters, often as a subcontractor for BHRAGS.

Miguel Jorge

An individual charged with federal program bribery and related offenses for his role in the corruption scheme.

Farah Louis

A New York City Council Member whose communications with BHRAGS are being investigated as part of the corruption probe.

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What they’re saying

“Tirelus categorically disputes the charges and looks forward to clearing his name at trial.”

— Todd Spodek, Lawyer for Jean Ronald Tirelus

What’s next

The federal investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors are expected to continue examining the involvement of Farah Louis, Debbie Louis, and other city officials. The city has also said it will review its existing contracts with BHRAGS.

The takeaway

This case highlights the persistent problem of public corruption in New York City's social services sector, where funds intended to help vulnerable populations are allegedly being misused for personal gain. It underscores the need for greater transparency, oversight, and accountability to ensure taxpayer money is being used effectively and ethically.