Goodell warns on housing migrants
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State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, is warning potential Chautauqua County landlords and property owners who may be tempted to enter into a contract to house asylum seekers, migrants or illegal immigrants who are overwhelming New York City's budget and social services agencies.
"Don't do it," he said.
DocGo, a medical services provider with a background that includes providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic, recently has come under scrutiny for receiving a no-bid contract totaling more than $429 million to manage the current migrant situation that is troubling the Big Apple.
Moreover, several local area property owners, both commercial motel and hotel owners, have reportedly been approached by DocGo or another company to provide shelter for the various New York City immigrants and asylum seekers. The head of an asset management company for a local property owner in Jamestown told The Post-Journal on Monday he has been contacted by New York City representatives looking for private contracts between the city and the local representative. The local man helps manage a building with 70 units.
Chautauqua County is one of 32 counties that have issued emergency orders to prevent New York City from shipping asylum seekers and refugees to their communities. New York City challenged those emergency orders, with the court battle over their legality still being fought.
"I'd be very, very careful doing any business with this company," Goodell said. "This entire no-bid contract smells of corruption, and they have a very shady record."
Goodell then expanded upon other bilateral, legal ramifications, which could impact parties who enter into an agreement with DocGo for housing.
"New York City has $1 billion in aid money; these funds cannot leave the city … so when DocGo doesn't have the money to fulfill these large contracts, the property owners are on the hook for processing and evicting their tenants or residents," Goodell said. "I wouldn't enter into any agreement with them until this gets settled in the court systems first. Also, while owners and managers may have a ground to sue DocGo for failing to fulfil their contracts, the eviction process is more than likely solely on them."
Moreover, Goodell referenced last week's DocGo contract rejection and denial by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, which was reported in the New York Times, New York Post and other media outlets earlier this month.
"Their (DocGo) contract has been denied by the same city who hired them, which means no money until the contract gets approved," Goodell said. "If it looks to good to be true … I mean this is costing New York City close to $1 billion a month -- money they admit they don't have."
Additionally, there will be unaccounted costs associated with housing the population.
"Once they get upstate, who's going to provide food, translations services, medical services, dental services, educational services and transportation around town?" asked Goodell. "The local communities where they are staying will be required to support them. Meaning, the taxpayers are going to foot the bill for this."