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.
“This is an issue created by New York City, we know that they are currently being overwhelmed with the number of migrants being sent their way in a short span of time,” Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said at a Tuesday press conference.
“But ultimately, we need their contractor DocGo to seriously improve their operations and be a better partner to those in the community and the migrants.”
City Hall has yet to respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said she had heard reports of DocGo failing to meet basic care and shelter needs of the asylum seekers.
“I have received a letter from a case manager who quit, who had been hired to work at the hotels who talked about spoiled food, about lack of coordination,” Sheehan said. About what she perceived as being aggressive and bullying tactics by individuals within DocGo impacting the individuals who are here trying to seek asylum, the very people who they are supposed to be caring for.”
DocGo said it was investigating the allegations laid bare by local officials, saying the “assertions, if true, are unacceptable.”
“DocGo has assembled a team to look into these assertions and ascertain the facts. If any of these assertions are found to be true, the company will take actions to ensure they do not occur again,” the company’s statement said.
“Overall, our program continues to be successful. Our recent polling of over 500 asylees in our care show that over 85% of them like the program and feel they are well supported. We are proud of those results and intend to work to ensure their satisfaction continues.”
Meanwhile, New York’s House Republican delegation blasted Adams and Hochul for awarding billions in “no-bid” emergency contracts — including the one handed to DocGo — to address the migrant crisis.
In a scathing letter sent Tuesday to the two Democratic leaders, the GOP reps cited “serious concerns” they have with the contracts and raised doubts about pumping more federal cash 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,” the letter, spearheaded by Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler, said.
“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.”
