A retired New York City police sergeant has been arrested in Massachusetts and indicted on bribery charges in a federal corruption investigation involving a city council member and an aide to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Edouardo St. Fort, whose firm handled security at city migrant shelters, has been charged with conspiracy against the United States, bribery connected to federal programs, and unlawful interstate travel. The Brooklyn federal court case remains sealed as of Tuesday morning.
St. Fort’s company, Fort NYC Security, was identified in a federal search warrant seeking records related to potential bribes or kickbacks involving City Council member Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, a Hochul aide who has been placed on leave. The warrant also mentioned Fort NYC Security’s role as a subcontractor to two nonprofits providing homeless services, BHRAGS Home Care Corp. and Bronx Family Network Inc.
City records indicate that Fort NYC Security received more than $7 million in contracts from 2023 to 2027 to provide security, including at a Bronx hotel serving as a homeless shelter. Five of the six contracts were awarded on an emergency basis, allowing the city to bypass standard bidding procedures.
St. Fort stepped down from the NYPD in 2023. Messages seeking comment from Farah Louis and Debbie Louis were not returned.
The ongoing probe underscores federal authorities’ scrutiny of city contracts linked to migrant shelters and raises questions about oversight of emergency contracting practices.
