NYC Corruption Scandal Deepens: Former Adams Adviser Hit with New Bribery Indictments
NYC Corruption Scandal Deepens: Former Adams Adviser Hit with New Bribery Indictments
Manhattan prosecutors have unveiled a series of new, wide-ranging bribery indictments against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, former top adviser to Mayor Eric Adams. The charges, announced Thursday, accuse Lewis-Martin of accepting over $75,000 in bribes tied to high-profile City Hall approvals, including migrant shelters, real estate developments, and a major street safety redesign.
Lewis-Martin, who resigned from her chief adviser role in December, is accused in four separate indictments of leveraging her influential position for personal gain. Prosecutors allege she accepted cash, home renovations, and catering services, even securing a bit part in a TV drama, in exchange for bending city government to aid television producers and real estate developers.
Alongside Lewis-Martin, others charged include Jesse Hamilton, deputy commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (who resigned Thursday afternoon); prominent Adams donors Gina and Tony Argento; and developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau. All defendants pleaded not guilty in court Thursday, with Justice Daniel Conviser ordering them to surrender passports.
Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardonico stated, “If you are willing to pay, Ms. Lewis-Martin is open for business.” However, Lewis-Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, countered, asserting his client’s innocence and stating she merely helped citizens navigate city bureaucracy without personal benefit. These new charges add to a growing list of corruption allegations swirling around Mayor Adams’ administration as he seeks reelection.
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