Prosecutors on Thursday charged Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, with leveraging her City Hall influence to benefit a hotel chain’s construction plans.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that Lewis-Martin, her son Glenn Martin II, and two real estate investors face indictments for bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy. Bragg alleged that Lewis-Martin “engaged in a long-running bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy scheme” by exploiting her position to “illegally influence Department of Buildings and other city decisions” in exchange for over $100,000 in cash and benefits for herself and her son.
Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned from her role as Adams’ chief adviser on Sunday, a departure that adds to the mounting legal troubles and staff turnover plaguing the Adams administration.
Adams himself was indicted three months ago by a federal grand jury on bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy charges. He is accused of accepting extravagant gifts and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, including Turkish interests, to bypass New York City safety regulations for a new consulate building.
The administration has seen a wave of resignations in recent months. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stepped down on September 12 amid a federal investigation into nightclub enforcement. Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg resigned two days later as legal challenges against Adams intensified. Schools Chancellor David Banks expedited his planned retirement to mid-October, and Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright left her post on October 8.
