NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – City Council Member Farah Louis has been referred to the ethics committee in connection to a federal corruption investigation, a council source told PIX11 News.
The ethics committee privately reviews and considers disciplinary actions against council members. If the committee finds “disorderly behavior,” the council can impose punishments as drastic as removal from power, according to the council’s rules.
As of Wednesday, her committee assignments remained unchanged amid the federal corruption investigation linked to her and her sister.
A committee assignment can be changed with the speaker’s recommendation and a vote by the council. Louis serves on six committees and is the chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.
“Once elected, a standing committee or subcommittee chairperson may be removed prior to the end of the session without their consent only by the vote of 2/3 of all the Council Members,” the City Council’s rules state.
Speaker Julie Menin addressed the investigation on Wednesday, saying the council only learned about Louis’ alleged involvement in the news.
“No indictment has been brought against Council Member Louis. We need more information, obviously, about what is happening, and we’re closely monitoring that situation,” Menin said. “Based on the information we find out, we’ll take appropriate course of action at that time.”
A council source told PIX11 News Louis has been referred to the ethics committee for a probe.
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Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louis and her sister, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider, according to a copy of a search warrant obtained by The Associated Press.
This story comprises reporting from the Associated Press.
This is a developing story. Please refresh the page for updates.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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