Ingrid Lewis-Martin has claimed she is innocent and denied any illegal activity.
NEW YORK CITY–A former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, 63, has been indicted on bribery charges relating to her son and two real estate investors, with alleged bribes equaling $100,000.
On Dec. 19, Ingrid and her son, Glen Martin Ⅱ, were
charged with first-degree bribe receiving and third-degree money laundering. The alleged investor co-conspirators, Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, were charged with first-degree bribery.
All four were hit with fourth-degree conspiracy as well.
Allegedly, Vaid and Dwivedi gave Glen Martin two $50,000 checks, which Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
said was used to “illegally influence city decisions in exchange for over $100,000 in cash and other benefits.”
The $100,000 was allegedly transferred to a company Glen Martin used to run his DJ business, Suave Productions. He withdrew the money to purchase a Porsche car for $113,000.
Vaid and Dwivedi own properties in Manhattan, including a rooftop bar called the “Glass Ceiling” and the Hotel on Rivington, that had permits pending with the Department of Buildings. The purpose of the bribes was to have Ingrid Lewis-Martin use her high position as chief adviser to push through rejected construction approvals and expedite the process.
To avoid being caught, Lewis-Martin allegedly asked the others to join Signal, an encrypted messaging app.
Lewis-Martin has claimed she is innocent and denied any illegal activity.
Department of Investigations Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said in a
statement: “As alleged in the indictment announced today, the Mayor’s Chief Advisor accepted cash and other benefits for herself and her son, in exchange for using her authority and influence to expedite her co-conspirators’ construction projects. When City officials monetize their office for personal gain, they undermine fundamental principles of integrity in government, diminish trust in public officials, and unfairly tarnish the reputations of the countless City employees who use their office solely to serve the public good.”
Lewis-Martin has been
politically associated with Adams since the mid-80’s. Her home was raided by the FBI in September, and her phone was confiscated for the investigation. She stepped down from her position as chief adviser on Dec. 15, when it became apparent she would be indicted on charges.
The mayor praised Lewis-Martin for her record of service.
“We’ve always talked about when this day would come, and while we’ve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won’t be right next door every day. I, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her record of service to our city,” he said.
