Story by Ethan
On July 17th, 2025, the arrest of Desiree Royer, age 58, and Raul Thomas, age 49, was announced by Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. Desiree Royer and Raul Thomas were charged with first-degree Corrupting the Government, second-degree Grand Larceny, Public Corruption, second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, 38 counts of first-degree Falsifying Business Records, and 38 counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing and Official Misconduct. The arrest and charges against Desiree Royer and Raul Thomas were a result of an investigation handled by Special Investigator Daniel Malvey and Assistant Inspector General Alexandra Davie from the Department of Investigation.
According to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, from December 2020 to October 2022, Desiree Royer, director of the Renewal and Rental Assistance Program, Homelessness Prevention Administration, and Raul Thomas, a contracted landlord with the Renewal and Rental Assistance Program stole over $110,000 through fraudulent checks. Allegedly Desiree Royer had issued 25 duplicate checks to Raul Thomas for tenants residing in the Bronx building location, as well as 15 other checks for residents that have never lived in any of Raul Thomas’ buildings, amassing over $110,000. Desiree Royer had also deposited $60,000 into her bank account during the scheme.
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Desiree Royer and Raul Thomas are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
