Ingrid Lewis-Martin facing bribery charges
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a former advisor to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, is getting indicted and facing bribery charges. Prosecutors say they stem from a “quid pro quo” arrangement involving her son and two real estate investors. FOX 5 NY’s Morgan McKay has the details.
NEW YORK – Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a former advisor to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, has been charged with accepting payments in exchange for favors benefiting her son’s business ventures, according to the DA’s office.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the case boils down to “three words: quid pro quo.”
Bragg confirmed earlier reports that two businessmen gave Lewis-Martin and her son $50,000 payments, which her son allegedly used to buy a Porsche.
The charges against Lewis-Martin come as the Adams administration has been roiled by criminal investigations.
Bragg emphasized that Adams had no involvement and is not a target of this investigation.
They are expected to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Although the charges remain unclear Bragg and Strauber’s offices have been investigating Lewis-Martin for some time now.
In Sept. Lewis-Martin was met at the airport on Friday by federal officials with a subpoena after her flight from Japan.
Her home was searched, and her phone was seized by the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
This happened on the same day Adams pleaded not guilty to federal bribery charges.
At the time, her attorney, Arthur Aidala, told FOX News that she would cooperate fully with any and all investigations and that she was not the target of any case of which we are aware.
Who is Ingrid Lewis-Martin?
Ingrid Lewis Martin reportedly under investigation by Manhattan DA
The New York Times reports that the investigation has to do with possible money laundering and bribery. FOX 5’s Lissette Nuñez has the details.
Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin, 63, became chief advisor to the mayor in January 2022.
Lewis-Martin, has been one of the mayor’s closest confidants throughout his political career, serving in senior roles under Adams as he ascended the ranks of government in New York over the past nearly two decades.
She most recently served as deputy Brooklyn borough president.
Prior to her role as deputy Brooklyn borough president, she served for more than five years as then-State Senator Adams’ senior advisor and for seven years as his chief of staff.
Here’s a look at other aides and officials under investigation, what the inquiries involve, and how they all connect to Eric Adams:
Click on each name for more details.
Some of the people listed have been asked for information and have not necessarily been charged with a crime. The city’s Department of Investigation is part of the four investigations.
- Eric Adams: Indicted and official residence searched after devices seized and subpoenaed
- Brianna Suggs: Former chief fund-raiser who reassigned after home search and devices seizure
- Rana Abbasova: Aide to Adams who is reportedly on leave and cooperating with inquiry after home search
- Cenk Öcal: Former Turkish Airlines executive whose home was reportedly searched
- Reyhan Özgür: According to the Times, Özgür is a former Turkish consul general in New York who was named in a subpoena
- Arda Sayiner: According to the Times, Sayiner is a brand adviser of sorts, who was named in a subpoena
Federal investigation into top City Hall aides, allies
- Timothy Pearson: Senior adviser to the senior whose phone was seized
- Philip Banks III: Deputy mayor for public safety whose phone was seized
- Terence Banks: Philip Banks’ brother and consultant whose home was searched and phone was seized
- David C. Banks: Philip Banks’ brother and schools chancellor who is resigning after phones were seized
- Sheena Wright: First deputy mayor and partner of David Banks’ partner whose phone was seized
Federal investigation into former police commissioner’s twin brother
- Edward A. Caban: Former police commissioner who resigned after phone was seized
- James Caban: Former police officer and brother to Edward whose phone was seized
- Raul Pintos: Chief of staff under Caban who reportedly retired after commissioner resignation and phone seizure
Other investigations, legal concerns
- Ingrid Lewis-Martin: Chief advisor to the mayor who was subpoenaed after her home was searched and phone was seized
- Winnie Greco: Senior adviser to the mayor who has had multiple homes searched
- Eric Ulrich: Former buildings’ commissioner who was charged with taking bribes
- Thomas G. Donlon: Interim police commissioner who the Times reports had homes searched and material seized
- Dwayne Montgomery: Former police inspector who pleaded guilty to conspiracy
- Timothy Pearson: Senior adviser to the mayor, who faces several lawsuits involving sexual harassment accusations
- Eric Adams: Earlier this year a woman accused Adams of asking for oral sex in 1993
- Anthony Saccavino: NYC Fire department chief who was arrested for bribery, corruption
- Brian Cordasco: NYC Fire department chief who was arrested for bribery, corruption
- Anthony Miranda: NYC Sheriff reportedly under investigation over claims he allegedly solicited donations
Others who have resigned, not implicated
In a press conference detailing the indictment, NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said her office would seek to hold others accountable in the Adams investigation “no matter their role or title.”
