Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a long-serving and trusted aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resigned Sunday, citing plans for retirement.
The announcement follows months of scrutiny surrounding Lewis-Martin and City Hall, including a high-profile search of her home and seizure of her phones by Manhattan prosecutors in September.
Mayor Adams praised Lewis-Martin, calling her “a friend, confidant, trusted advisor, and sister,” and noted that her departure had been long anticipated.
“While we’ve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won’t be right next door every day,” Adams said in a statement.
Lewis-Martin, who has been a central figure throughout Adams’ political career, leaves her role as City Hall faces mounting legal challenges.
Adams himself has pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges, including allegations of accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
Prosecutors’ Investigation of Lewis-Martin
Lewis-Martin’s resignation comes less than three months after Manhattan district attorney investigators met her at a New York airport upon her return from Japan, searched her home, and confiscated her phones.
At the time, she spoke candidly about the investigation during an appearance on her attorney Arthur Aidala’s radio show, saying:
“I do believe that in the end the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA’s office to investigate us.”
Aidala, who has represented Lewis-Martin during the investigation, is expected to hold a press conference Monday to address her departure and the ongoing legal scrutiny.
Decades of Service
Lewis-Martin first met Adams nearly 40 years ago when her husband, Glenn Martin, and Adams were in the NYPD Police Academy.
Since then, she has held prominent roles in his political trajectory, serving as his advisor when he was a state senator, Brooklyn borough president, and finally, mayor.
Reflecting on her career, Lewis-Martin said:
“My time alongside Mayor Adams has been an amazing ride. Now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire.”
She assured New Yorkers of her continued dedication to the city as a private citizen.
City Hall Under Fire
Lewis-Martin’s resignation is the latest development in a series of legal battles facing Adams and his administration. Federal and local prosecutors are investigating campaign finance violations and allegations of undue influence in City Hall.
As the probes continue to cast a shadow over the administration, Adams must navigate a turbulent political landscape without one of his most steadfast allies by his side.
