Clergy, community back Farah Louis, sister at Brooklyn press conference

Clergy members, community leaders, activists, and constituents gathered in Brooklyn for a press conference on Thursday, April 9, 2026, alongside News 12 to voice support for Council Member Farah Louis and her sister, Debbie Louis, following a recent federal probe.

The show of support comes after the sisters were visited on March 23, 2026, by federal prosecutors as part of an investigation into whether they allegedly accepted bribes or kickbacks in exchange for actions that may have helped direct city-funded contracts to BHRAGS Home Care Corp., a nonprofit organization that provides home care, community outreach, and support services across New York. Caribbean Life confirmed that the homes were, in fact, not raided as previously (unconfirmed) reported by Politico. The only items seized were cell phones.

Authorities have not charged or publicly accused either Farah Louis or Debbie Louis of wrongdoing. Both are named in a federal search warrant seeking evidence of possible connections to the case.

Speakers at the press conference repeatedly urged the public not to rush to judgment and called on the New York City Council to refrain from referring  Farah Louis to the ethics committee while the investigation remains ongoing.

“Council Member Farah Louis has served well and will continue to serve well,” said Bishop Orlando Findlayter, a prominent Brooklyn pastor and community leader, as attendees applauded.

“Debbie Louis has also served this community well. These are two young ladies who are from this community and continue to fight for this community,” Findlayter added. “Ladies of integrity, ladies who have given their all. As a community, we are here to stand with them. We’re people of faith, and we believe in the power of prayer.”

Before the press conference began, Pastor Dr. Gilford T. Monrose led attendees in prayer for the sisters.

Findlayter emphasized that no charges have been filed and cautioned against premature conclusions.

“The next thing that is important is that they have not been charged with anything. They are innocent until proven guilty. There is an investigation. No one should rush to judgment,” he said. “We’re simply saying let the process play itself out. If they want to investigate, investigate, but let’s not rush to judgment.”

“I want to further state that this is nothing new when Black leaders rise to certain levels, society always attempts to take them out. And many times, the communities that they serve do not come to support them. We say no more. We say enough is enough. We will not allow you to touch these two sisters of ours,” said Bishop Orlando Findlayter.

“We’re going to support them. We will not allow society to tear them down. To the media, stay until the end and report that there is nothing here. Oftentimes, we hear the first story, but not the ending, that there was nothing there.”

He also pointed to Debbie Louis’ role in helping secure major state investments in New York City.

“Last year in June 2025, we thanked Governor Kathy Hochul for a $1 billion investment in downstate New York,” Findlayter said. “What we do not know is that one of the people who worked behind the scenes to make that happen was Debbie Louis. Their commitment to this community is unwavering, and our commitment to them is also unwavering.”

Findlayter delivered a direct message to the City Council: “There shouldn’t be any thought about referring Council Member Farah Louis to the ethics committee,” he said. “She hasn’t been charged or convicted of anything. Allow her to continue doing what she does every day, going to City Hall and fighting for the residents of East Flatbush, because we need resources.”

Pastor James A. Thornton of Salem Missionary Baptist Church in East Flatbush also spoke in support, highlighting the sisters’ character and service.

“I wanted to be here today to speak to the integrity and character of Council Member Farah Louis and Debbie Louis,” Thornton said. “They work diligently in this community with integrity and fairness. She is one of the few politicians that I can call and get an answer.”  Thornton echoed calls for due process.

“The right thing is to let the system run its course with a fair investigation, not make judgment until all the facts are in. These two ladies are the kindest people that I know,” he said.

“Farah Louis should not be removed or even considered for removal from her position. She has served us well.”  He concluded with a message of unity: “We stand together because we know a house divided cannot stand, but in unity there is strength. We want the council member and her sister to know that we’re standing with them in unity and strength today,” stated Pastor James A. Thornton.

Jensen Desrosiers, president and founder of the Haitian Powerhouse, along with community organizer Glenda Elie, told Caribbean Life at the press conference that the situation is a broader concern for the Haitian community.

“What we want the community to know is that targeting these sisters is targeting the Haitian community, and it’s further delaying the process of assisting the community,” Desrosiers said.

He added that their presence was meant to show solidarity while signaling accountability to government officials.

“We think our presence here today is very important as we stand beside Farah Louis and Debbie Louis, who have been going through a difficult time for the past few weeks,” he said. “We’re not here to interfere with the process. We’re here to make sure that the city and the state know that the community is watching. We are adamant about fighting back if we have to.”

Desrosiers leads Haitian Powerhouse, a community organization focused on building civic engagement through education and awareness of social and political issues.

Also present in support of the sisters were Reverend Dr. Terry Lee, pastor of Byways & Hedges Youth for Christ Ministry and founder of Community Concerns Network; Marietta Small, president of the Flatbush Gardens Tenants Association; Kimberley Oliver, vice president of the Flatbush Tenants Association; and Rev. Jerome Herold, senior pastor of Bethel Christian Church.

“These two sisters have served the community with humility and distinction. Farah Louis was instrumental in securing funding for the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center located in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn,” said Rev. Jerome Herold.

Holding this press conference at this center is symbolic, as the council member played a key role in bringing it to life, the leaders emphasized.

Herold and the other clergymen credited Louis with helping secure more than $140 million to build the recreation center.

Louis, a member of the Democratic Party, represents the 45th District in the New York City Council, which includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Midwood. Debbie Louis works as an Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs at the New York State Executive Chamber.

Pastor Louis Straker of Reflections Church on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn also spoke in support of the sisters, reflecting on the challenges of public service and his experience working with both women.

“Politics is a dirty game. It’s an arena people should not enter unadvisedly, you put yourself at risk and expose yourself to a certain level of gamesmanship that you must navigate in order to get things done,” Straker said. “I have observed our council member of the 45th District, Farah Louis, and how she navigates the political arena. To my knowledge, she has done so with integrity.”

Standing near the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, Straker pointed to what he described as visible results of Louis’ leadership.

“We are standing in an area where the fruit of her labor is right before us,” he said. “The council member was responsible for securing over $140 million to ensure our community has this recreation center. This is the kind of leadership she provides.”

Straker also spoke about Debbie Louis and her involvement in community advocacy efforts, particularly around SUNY Downstate.

“When it was time to save Downstate, many clergy members here spent years advocating for funding to modernize and revitalize it,” he said. “Debbie Louis worked with community advisory boards and us, making sure our voices were heard in the governor’s office. These are women of the highest integrity.”

He urged the public to avoid rushing to judgment.  “I ask that they not be tried in the court of public opinion. They are innocent until proven guilty. We are asking everyone to reserve judgment,” Straker added.

Marietta Small and Kimberley Oliver also voiced strong support on behalf of local tenant associations.

“Council Member Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis have always supported this community, and we stand by them on behalf of the Flatbush Gardens Tenants Association and the Flatbush Tenants Association,” said Marietta Small. ” She doesn’t just show up for photo opportunities; she works for this community,” said Small.

“Farah Louis does not only show up during election time,” added Kimberley Oliver. “She is here all the time asking what she can do for the district. We’re in this with her all the way.” Marietta also added, “I love Debbie; she is a genuine soul.”

When Caribbean Life requested an interview, both sisters declined to comment. A trusted family source confirmed that they are cooperating with authorities and have not been convicted of any wrongdoing.