Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former chief adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is facing fresh corruption allegations tied to claims she used her political influence to secure more than $75,000 in bribes and other perks, according to newly unsealed indictments.
Prosecutors allege Lewis-Martin traded government favors for personal gain, including securing renovation approvals in exchange for catered events at Gracie Mansion and City Hall, and fast-tracking permits for a Queens karaoke bar in return for $50,000 for her son, Glenn D. Martin II. She also allegedly accepted promises of a television appearance.
“Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “While she allegedly received more than $75,000 in bribes and an appearance on a TV show, every other New Yorker lost out.”
Widening Investigation
The indictments name additional New York City officials and Adams allies. Among them are:
- Jesse Hamilton, a former New York state senator turned deputy commissioner for real estate services.
- Siblings Gina and Tony Argento, owners of Broadway Stages, who allegedly paid Lewis-Martin $2,500 to influence city transportation officials into abandoning a redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn.
Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber called the accusations “a pattern of power abuse,” explaining that most city officials serve with integrity but warning that misconduct at the top erodes public trust.
Earlier Allegations
Lewis-Martin’s name surfaced in corruption probes even before she stepped down from her post in December 2024, as Adams himself faced scrutiny.
She and her son were previously accused of accepting bribes to assist two businessmen with construction approvals in exchange for a $100,000 loan to purchase a Porsche.
Legal Defense and City Hall’s Response
Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, maintains that Lewis-Martin is innocent: “She has broken no laws, and she is not guilty.”
Meanwhile, City Hall distanced the mayor from the case. Adams spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said:
“The mayor was not involved in this matter and has not been accused of or implicated in any wrongdoing. Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration.”
Lewis-Martin is now set to face conspiracy and bribery charges, adding to what prosecutors describe as a broad corruption network tied to influential figures in New York City politics.
