NY House Republicans Slam $2B ‘no-bid’ Migrant Contracts Issued by Hochul, Adams; Kathy Hochul Reviewing DocGo — Contracted for $432M — Over NYC Migrant Mistreatment Claims

NY House Republicans slam $2B ‘no-bid’ migrant contracts issued by Hochul, Adams:

Enough is enough! New York’s House Republican delegation blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams for awarding billions in “no-bid” emergency contracts to address the migrant crisis — even as Hizzoner claims the cost to help asylum seekers could swell to $12 billion over three years.

Leading the charge, Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler sent a scathing letter on Tuesday to the two Democratic leaders, citing “serious concerns” they have with the current contracts and raising doubts about pumping more federal funds into New York to deal with the crisis.

“These contracts represent a continuing trend of irresponsible spending that will continue to drag down New York,” wrote the freshman congressman.

“While you continue to request federal dollars to address the migrant crisis, the State and City have done nothing to show that these funds will be managed appropriately,” he added.

The letter identifies two NY contracts valued at $1.6 billion in total to two Texas-based firms: Garner Environmental Services and Cotton Commercial, as first reported by the Albany Times Union.

The GOP reps also pointed out the $432 million emergency contract that the Adam administration awarded to DocGo to provide services to migrants the city has sent to upstate hotels. A New York Times article reported complaints that migrants were being misled and mistreated by the company. —>READ MORE HERE

Kathy Hochul reviewing DocGo — contracted for $432M — over NYC migrant mistreatment claims:

Is it a no-go for DocGo?

Gov Kathy Hochul says she’s not satisfied that the company – which was awarded a hefty $432 million contract by Mayor Adams’ administration to relocate migrants upstate – is up to the task amid a slew of complaints that asylum seekers have been mistreated and misled.

“We are doing a review and working with the city to make sure that [DocGo] is meeting all of their contractual obligations because I’m not convinced that that is happening in every area,” Hochul told reporters Thursday, according to CBS6 Albany.

“It’s a concern to me. They are being paid a lot of money from the city, and we want to work with the city to ensure that all requirements are being met.”

She added: “I would say I’m not satisfied as I’m standing here, but I’m going to be reviewing this.”

DocGo — the COVID testing-turned-migrant-shelter firm — was handed the huge, emergency no-bid contract by Mayor Eric Adams in May to help bus asylum seekers to various upstate hotels as the city struggled to find space in its overwhelmed migrant shelter system.

Since then, the medical services company has been hit with accusations they are luring migrants to places like Albany with the promise of job opportunities and legal assistance — only to be abandoned when they arrive.

Several migrants staying at hotels in Albany recently told the New York Times they felt deceived and lied to by DocGo workers — including some who alleged security guards hired by the company had threatened them.

Hochul’s promised review into DocGo comes after the mishandling allegations sparked a backlash from local Albany officials, as well as state lawmakers, who have demanded more accountability for the company. —>READ MORE HERE

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