Mayor Eric Adams' former chief advisor among 7 facing new charges in City Hall corruption probe
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Eric Adams' former chief advisor who has remained a volunteer on his reelection campaign, is among seven people facing new charges in the corruption investigation that has swirled around City Hall for two years, prosecutors in Manhattan announced Thursday.
Adams himself is not accused of any wrongdoing or expected to be charged.
Among those facing new charges is Adams' former chief of staff and closest confidant, Lewis-Martin, her son Glenn D. Martin II, former state Sen. Jesse Hamilton and two of Adams' political donors, siblings and Broadway stage owners Tony and Gina Argento, and developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau
Lewis-Martin and her son appeared first and both pleaded not guilty to the latest charges.
Lewis-Martin resigned in December ahead of her indictment in a separate case in which she and her son are accused of taking bribes in exchange for her speeding approvals for construction projects. That case is still pending.
She has continued to volunteer for the Adams campaign while she awaits trial.
On Thursday, she was charged with four additional counts of conspiracy and bribe receiving. The new cases accuse her of performing political favors in exchange for cash, a speaking role on a TV show, home renovations and thousands of dollars in catering for events at City Hall and Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor.
"As alleged, Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets. While she allegedly received more than $75,000 in bribes and an appearance on a TV show, every other New Yorker lost out," Bragg said in a statement.
She is accused of the bribery conspiracies between March 2022 and November 2024 while serving as chief advisor to the mayor of the city of New York.
The alleged conspiracies impacted several different city agencies, including the DOB, FDNY, DOT, DCAS and HPD.
Prosecutors say Lewis-Martin, her son and Hamilton allegedly conspired to fast-track development projects and steer city contracts on behalf of a co-defendant in exchange for renovations on their homes.
The indictments allege she took $75,000 in bribes to steer migrant shelter contracts to preferred vendors, approved renovations of a residential property for thousands of dollars of catering for events at Gracie Mansion and City Hall, and helped to fast-track permit approvals for a Queens karaoke bar in exchange for $50,000 for her son.
She also allegedly took $2,500 from two Brooklyn business owners to convince city transportation officials to abandon a plan to redesign McGuinness Boulevard -- a plot that was ultimately reversed.
Lewis-Martin's attorney, Arthur Aidala, called the new charges "politically motivated" and a "distortion of the truth."
"Her only so called 'offense' was fulfilling her duty -- helping fellow citizens navigate the City's outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy. At no point did she receive a single dollar or any personal benefit for her assistance," Aidala said. "Yet, the District Attorney seeks to portray a dedicated and honest public servant as a criminal. This is not justice -- it is a distortion of the truth and a troubling example of politically motivated 'lawfare.'"
Todd Shapiro, spokesperson for Adams' campaign, released a new statement Thursday maintaining that the mayor is not accused of any wrongdoing:
"Mayor Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and his focus remains on serving the 8.5 million New Yorkers by making our city safer and more affordable every day. While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family. Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. His commitment to New Yorkers is unwavering-no distraction will ever take his eyes off the ball or his dedication to this great city we all call home."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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