Ingrid Lewis-Martin, former chief adviser to New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, heart, arrives at state court docket in New York, US, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Ingrid Lewis-Martin is predicted to be arraigned on corruption fees Thursday afternoon in state court docket in Manhattan, reported the AP.
Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Photos
Prosecutors on Thursday accused Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the previous high aide to New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, of utilizing her Metropolis Corridor affect to assist a resort chain with development plans.
Lewis-Martin was anticipated to look in a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday to listen to indictments made in opposition to her, her son Glenn Martin II and two actual property traders, Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, in response to a press release by Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg.
Lewis-Martin “engaged in a long-running bribery, cash laundering and conspiracy scheme through the use of her place and authority” to “illegally affect Division of Buildings and different metropolis choices in trade for greater than $100,000 in money and advantages for herself and her son, Glenn Martin II,” in response to a Manhattan Supreme Court docket submitting by Bragg.
Prosecutors referred to as Lewis-Martin “the second most senior individual in Metropolis Corridor” and stated she “abused her place and bought her affect to complement herself and her household.”
“The indictment unsealed immediately may be summarized in three phrases — quid professional quo,” Bragg advised reporters.
“At this time’s indictment alleges and portrays a transparent image: ‘You do that for me and I’ll try this for you.’ It was not what’s in the most effective curiosity of town of New York and people who stay right here.”
The defendant had been the longtime chief adviser to Adams till her abrupt resignation on Sunday, marking one other tumultuous second for the mayor of America’s greatest metropolis.
Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury three months in the past on bribery, marketing campaign finance and conspiracy fees. The mayor allegedly acquired lavish present and unlawful marketing campaign contributions from overseas nationals, together with from Turkish pursuits to assist that authorities bypass New York Metropolis security pointers to open a brand new consulate constructing.
The Adams administration has seen a mass exodus in current weeks of officers and advisers.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on Sept. 12 amid a federal probe into the division’s nightclub enforcement, in response to sources acquainted with the matter.
Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned on Sept. 14 within the wake of mounting authorized points for her boss.
New York Metropolis Colleges Chancellor David Banks was set to retire and depart workplace late this yr, however as an alternative hastened his departure to mid-October.
Sheena Wright, Adams’ high deputy mayor, resigned on Oct. 8.
