Prosecutors in Manhattan revealed on Thursday that a former senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams is among seven individuals now facing additional charges in an ongoing corruption probe tied to City Hall, which has been under investigation for the past two years.
Although Adams himself has not been accused of wrongdoing, the case is expected to once again put a spotlight on the allegations surrounding his administration as he works to rebuild public confidence ahead of a highly competitive election in November.
The expanded indictments name Adams’ former chief of staff and longtime ally, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, along with her son Glenn D. Martin, former state Senator Jesse Hamilton, and two of Adams’ campaign donors — siblings Tony and Gina Argento — among those charged.
Lewis-Martin, along with the other defendants, was scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday.
Her resignation came back in December, prior to a separate indictment alleging that she and her son accepted bribes in return for expediting approvals for construction projects. That case is still moving through the courts. Despite the charges, Lewis-Martin has remained involved with the Adams campaign in a volunteer capacity while awaiting trial.
In the latest development, Lewis-Martin now faces four more counts of conspiracy and accepting bribes, charges outlined in new indictments that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg characterized as “classic bribery conspiracies that had a deep and wide-ranging impact on city government.”
“As alleged, Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets. While she allegedly received more than $75,000 in bribes and an appearance on a TV show, every other New Yorker lost out,” Bragg stated.
Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, responded on Thursday, saying she intends to plead not guilty to these new charges. “She has broken no laws, and she is not guilty,” he declared in a statement.
Aidala issued a further statement defending his client, saying: “Ingrid Lewis Martin is facing charges classified at the lowest level of felony in our justice system. Her only so-called ‘offense’ was fulfilling her duty—helping fellow citizens navigate the City’s outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy. At no point did she receive a single dollar or any personal benefit for her assistance. Yet, the District Attorney seeks to portray a dedicated and honest public servant as a criminal. This is not justice—it is a distortion of the truth and a troubling example of politically motivated ‘lawfare.’ We will vigorously fight these charges and ensure that the facts prevail. The public deserves to know the truth, and we will not allow this injustice to stand.”
{Matzav.com}
