(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Federal agents with guns drawn forced their way into the Brooklyn home of New York City Councilmember Farah Louis in a pre-dawn raid last month as part of a corruption investigation tied to migrant shelter contracts.
The councilmember’s mother, Vesta Louis, described the March 23 raid as chaotic and frightening in an interview with Politico on Thursday, claiming agents broke down Louis’s front door while she was still asleep, seizing phones and electronic devices. She shared photos with the outlet showing the damage.
A person familiar with the raid said agents forced their way in after the councilmember declined to open the door before consulting an attorney.
A second raid took place simultaneously at the home of her sister, Debbie Esther Louis, a staffer in Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, where agents entered after the staffer’s husband let them in. Her 4-year-old child was present at the time.
“They’re scared to stay home,” Vesta Louis told the outlet. “They’re just speechless, they can’t talk. Can you imagine? You’re sleeping in your bed, and you saw a bunch of people walking into your bedroom with guns?”
The raids, not previously reported, form part of a federal probe made public days later with indictments against four men linked to a major city homeless shelter provider. Prosecutors are examining whether public officials steered funds in exchange for kickbacks, though neither Louis nor her sister has been accused of wrongdoing.
A search warrant reported by The Associated Press shows investigators are looking into potential ties between the sisters and BHRAGS Home Care, a provider that has secured more than $200 million in city contracts. Council records show Louis directed at least $71,000 in discretionary funding to the group and received campaign contributions from its employees, including one of the men indicted.
Hochul’s office has reportedly since placed Debbie Esther Louis on leave, and Farah Louis has not appeared at City Hall since news of the warrant surfaced.
Council Speaker Julie Menin said she is awaiting further details before deciding whether Louis should lose her committee roles, adding: “Based on the information we find out, we’ll take appropriate course of action at that time.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment to Politico about the case.
The post Feds Storm NYC Councilmember’s Home, Seize Devices in Pre-Dawn Raid first appeared on Mediaite.