Former Brooklyn-based nonprofit leaders indicted for allegedly embezzling over $1.3 million
The nonprofit, “The Public Interest Organization,” provided home care services to elderly New Yorkers and those with acute medical needs. Prosecutors say it also operated homeless shelters in the city.
The former board chairman and executive director of a Brooklyn-based health care nonprofit were indicted for allegedly embezzling over $1.3 million from the company, the United States Attorney’s Office says.
The nonprofit, “The Public Interest Organization,” provided home care services to elderly New Yorkers and those with acute medical needs. Prosecutors say it also operated homeless shelters in the city.
Former chairman Jean Ronald Tirelus and former executive director Roberto Samedy, both 50-years-old and of Brooklyn, faced a judge Tuesday. They are accused of steering business to companies controlled by Edouardo St. Fort and Miguel Jorge, “in exchange for bribes and kickbacks,” according to the indictment.
St. Fort, 47, of Massachusetts, and Jorge, 52, of Queens, are also facing charges for their alleged roles in the schemes.
Prosecutors say Tirelus and Samedy abused their positions in the company to steal funds and kickbacks from vendors, acquiring the lump sum from August 2020 to January 2024 through various forms of embezzlement and fraud.
The pair faces a slew of charges, including wire fraud, embezzlement, bribery-related offenses and money laundering conspiracy. They each face up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
St. Fort and Jorge are charged with federal program bribery and related charges and could serve up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“As alleged, the defendants used their leadership positions to loot public funds from an organization devoted to serving vulnerable New Yorkers,” stated U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. “Rooting out corruption is a priority for our Office, and we will hold accountable anyone who exploits charitable trust for private gain.”
