A federal indictment revealed on Thursday accuses the former chief advisor to the mayor, her son, and two real estate developers of engaging in a bribery scheme.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the indictment of Ingrid Lewis-Martin, her son Glenn D. Martin II, and real estate investors Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, alleging that they participated in a conspiracy to facilitate bribes exceeding $100,000 while Lewis-Martin was serving alongside Mayor Eric Adams. Additionally, both Lewis-Martin and her son face charges of money laundering.

According to prosecutors, the real estate developers sought Lewis-Martin’s assistance in obtaining critical approvals for their projects. In return, Lewis-Martin reportedly pressured city building department officials to expedite those requests, which they did.
Prosecutors claimed in court documents that Lewis-Martin, upon ascending to one of the highest ranks in City Hall, misused her authority and monetized her influence for personal gain.

Following her resignation from her influential position on Sunday, Lewis-Martin asserted her innocence, stating that she was being “falsely accused.” She denied any prior arrangements involving the acceptance of gifts or money for performing her role.
On Thursday morning, she surrendered to authorities at Bragg’s office located in lower Manhattan.

A press conference organized by Bragg alongside Jocelyn Strauber, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Investigation, was held later in the day. Efforts to obtain comments from the district attorney’s office and Lewis-Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, were made but went unanswered.
Aidala indicated earlier this week that criminal charges stemming from alleged improper gifts were anticipated to be brought against Lewis-Martin.

The administration under Mayor Adams has been marred by ongoing criminal investigations. The mayor, a member of the Democratic Party, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery related to a separate federal case that is set for trial next April.
At 63 years old, Lewis-Martin has been one of Adams’ closest advisors, having held significant positions as he worked his way through nearly twenty years of public service in New York.

In September, federal prosecutors confronted Lewis-Martin at an airport upon her return from Japan, during which they served her a subpoena. Manhattan prosecutors seized her mobile phones and conducted a search of her residence.
Adams himself was charged in September for allegedly receiving luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign donations from foreign nationals seeking to gain influence over him. This investigation was made public late last year following a search of the home of the mayor’s principal fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, whom Lewis-Martin has publicly referred to as her goddaughter.

In the wake of these events, the Adams administration has faced a cascade of ongoing investigations, triggering resignations from key officials such as the police commissioner, schools chancellor, several deputy mayors, and the director of Asian affairs.