NYC Mayor Eric Adams former top advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin surrenders ahead of court appearance
NEW YORK -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams' former chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin is due in court Thursday, where she is expected to face bribery charges.
Lewis-Martin resigned from the mayor's administration Sunday, a month before her planned retirement. She previously confirmed she has been the subject of a grand jury investigation.
She surrendered to the Manhattan district attorney's office around 7:30 a.m. Thursday and is expected to appear in court at 2:30 p.m., her attorney says.
The New York Times reports the bribery charges are tied to two businessmen who allegedly gave Lewis-Martin's son a $100,000 loan to buy a Porsche. The charges reportedly accuse the businessmen of providing the loan after she helped them resolve an issue with the city's Department of Buildings related to construction on one of their hotels.
Her son, Glenn Martin II, and the two businessmen are also expected to face arraignment Thursday.
"I'm being falsely accused of something. I don't know exactly what it is, but I know that I was told that it's something that's illegal, and I have never done anything illegal in my capacity in government," Lewis-Martin said during a news conference Monday.
While waiting in the courthouse for her expected arraignment, CBS News New York's Elijah Westbrook spoke with Lewis-Martin's friend of more than 40 years.
"I'm here to support her. I know her very well and I have no doubt that she's a person of integrity and when everything comes out that everything will be in her favor," Minister Ricardo Shark.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle under investigation
On Sept. 27, the feds subpoenaed Lewis-Martin and seized her cellphone after she returned from a trip in Japan. Then in October, the Manhattan DA's office announced it had launched a probe into her and four others, reportedly involving the city's leasing of commercial properties.
Lewis-Martin is the latest member to depart the mayor's administration, which has been engulfed in a series of investigations. She had been in his inner circle since he was a state senator in Brooklyn.
Adams was indicted on federal charges in September, weeks after his then-police commissioner, schools chancellor and deputy mayors also had their homes raided by federal agents. He pleaded not guilty to bribery and campaign finance charges, and insisted he could still lead the city despite calls for his resignation.
Former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Schools Chancellor David Banks, Deputy Mayors Sheena Wright and Philip Banks III all later resigned or retired amid the ongoing investigations, along with several other City Hall officials.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.