NYC Mayor Eric Adams former top advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin indicted on bribery charges
NEW YORK -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams' former chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin has been indicted on bribery charges, the Manhattan district attorney's office announced Thursday.
"The indictment unsealed today can be summarized in three words: Quid pro quo," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. "We allege that Ingrid Lewis-Martin engaged in a long-running bribery, money laundering and conspiracy scheme by using her position and authority as the chief advisor to the New York City mayor, the second-highest position in city government, to illegally influence city decisions in exchange for in excess of $100,000 in cash and other benefits for herself and her son, Glenn Martin II."
Lewis-Martin and her son are both charged with bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. She surrendered to the DA's office Thursday morning to face arraignment with her son and two alleged co-conspirators. She pleaded not guilty.
Son's $113k Porsche, fashion line and Chick-fil-A franchise
Bragg accused Lewis-Martin of "naked cronyism" and favorable treatment for real estate developers Raizada "Pinky" Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, who own the Glass Ceiling, a rooftop bar near Herald Square, and the Hotel of Rivington on the Lower East Side.
"Both of these properties had construction permits pending with the Department of Buildings during various times of this investigation. We allege that Lewis-Martin acted as an on-call consultant for Vaid and Dwivedi, serving at their pleasure to resolve whatever issues they had with DOB on their construction projects," he said, adding, "she did so without regard for security considerations and with utter and complete disregard for DOB's expertise and the public servants who work there."
"Again and again, she delivered for them. Each time she received an ask, she complied," Bragg continued. "She would immediately flip their ask to DOB, sometimes without any moment's notice -- reflexively and, on at least one occasion, flipping the exact language provided to her."
The district attorney went on to allege Vaid and Dwivedi made two $50,000 payments to a joint bank account shared by Lewis-Martin and her son, who allegedly used the money to buy a $113,000 Porsche.
"It wasn't just cash and a car. It was also securing business opportunities for her son. Part of the bribery scheme was support for Glenn Martin's fashion line, where Vaid said that he had the son completely covered, according to Ingrid Lewis-Martin," said Bragg. "In addition to the cash, the car and the fashion line, was backing for a Chick-fil-A franchise, which we allege that he had no experience to run."
Bragg also said Lewis-Martin tried to cover up her alleged crimes by using the encrypted Signal messaging app and coded language in text messages.
Lewis-Martin's attorney, Arthur Aidala, blasted the charges and said his client did nothing wrong.
"As they like to say, the highest-ranking city official next to the mayor is going to take a bribe in the form of a check and put it into her checking account? Come on, folks," Aidala said.
Aidala claims Lewis-Martin only did what she's done thousands of times: helped a constituent cut through government red tape.
"We're very confident that the New Yorkers using their common sense in this courthouse will understand the ridiculousness of these charges ... I know there's a political motive here. This is ridiculous," he said.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle under investigation
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.
"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," she said at a news conference Monday.
Lewis-Martin was not just chief advisor to the mayor, but a longtime confidante who has worked with him for decades. Earlier this week, Adams said he is giving her his support.
"She's not only a friend, but she's my sister and I love her so much, and I just really ask God to give her strength," Adams said Monday.
While waiting for her arraignment at the courthouse Thursday, CBS News New York's Elijah Westbrook spoke with her 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," said Minister Ricardo Shark.
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.
Bragg made clear the mayor is not charged in the Lewis-Martin bribery investigation.
"These charges do not allege any criminal conduct by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor is not a target of our investigation, and we do not have evidence of criminal conduct by the mayor," he said Thursday.
