The U.S. federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Photo: John Minchillo/AP, File
Weather: Day 76°, Night 47°, Chance of Showers then Showers Likely
The Lede: Federal prosecutors probing public corruption in New York have charged the leaders of a homeless shelter nonprofit with stealing $1.3 million from the taxpayer-backed organization and steering contracts worth millions more to favored vendors in exchange for bribes and kickbacks, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
The Rundown
AI takes center stage at Wikipedia’s 25th birthday celebration in Brooklyn: The editors joined avid Wikipedia readers to celebrate the website’s 25th anniversary and envision its future. Throughout the day, one topic dominated the events panels, “lightning” talks and hallway conversations: artificial intelligence.
4 charged in corruption investigation linked to NYC homeless shelter operator: The indictment describes multiple layers of corruption within BHRAGS Home Care Corp., a nonprofit focused on home health care, which has in recent years expanded its mission to include homeless shelters.
Feds probe whether Brooklyn councilmember, Hochul aide took bribes to help migrant shelter provider: Investigators are also probing whether Councilmember Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes related to the appropriation of city funds to the nonprofit, according to a search warrant viewed by The Associated Press.
Mamdani reverses Adams’ TikTok ban for city agencies: Former Mayor Eric Adams had barred local government employees and agencies from using the video-sharing platform over data security concerns in 2023.
Late night protest at homeless shelter site gets heated, 1 taken in custody: For years, the location has seen daily protests led by residents and community leaders. This time, the anger stemmed from developers bringing equipment to the site on Palm Sunday evening without warning.
Prominent advocates against gun violence endorse Brooklyn Rep. Dan Goldman: A slate of leading gun reform groups and advocates on Tuesday endorsed Rep. Dan Goldman, NY-10, for re-election in New York’s 10th Congressional District.
A Gale Brewer imposter scammed NYC’s pension fund out of $32,980: An online portal allowed grifters to reroute checks and pocket nearly $300,000 in illegal loans, including one from the Manhattan councilmember's pension fund.
Our world in photos: Missiles, fouls, rockets and more.
Our World in Photos
WEST BANK — A man inspects the wreckage of an Iranian missile that landed near the West Bank village of Marda. Photo: Majdi Mohammed/AP
More Brooklyn News
“A one-man psychedelic art empire thrives in Brooklyn” (Gothamist)
"Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn is losing her grip on the Brooklyn Dems" (City & State)
"Bookworms inch across the borough as the Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl returns, April 18-25" (Brooklyn Paper)
Staff Picks
READ: "Masking My Autism Made Me Sick" (Electric Lit)
EAT: Here are all the James Beard Award finalists in New York City. (Eater)
CARTOON: A therapy session. (Brooklyn Eagle)
LIVE: "Single-family house fetches about $14M in Midwood" (Crain’s New York Business)
The Wrap
⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1947, the Eagle reported, "Mayor O’Dwyer today handed the city its first billion dollar executive budget for municipal spending during the next fiscal year, which will result in an all-high basic real estate tax rate of $2.95, an increase of 25 points over the current levy." Click here to see what else happened on this day in history.
📔 IMPRINT
Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls poses for Vogue México.
👑 ROYAL WATCH
"Revealed: Prince Harry’s flirty messages and ‘movie snuggles’ with reporter" (The Telegraph)
🏀 SPORTS
Ochai Agbaji helps Nets end 10-game slide (Brooklyn Eagle)
“Love Story” star Ali McGraw
Author Brad Meltzer, who was born in Brooklyn
Aerospace engineer Aprille Ericsson-Jackson, who was born in Brooklyn
Former Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
Click here to see a full list of birthdays!
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Brooklyn Today’s editor is Scott Enman. Contact him at [email protected].