Eric Adams’ Confidant Ingrid Lewis-Martin Indicted for $75,000 in Bribes, Favors [WATCH]

Eric Adams’ longtime ally and former chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, has been indicted on multiple bribery and conspiracy charges, with prosecutors alleging she accepted more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for political favors, as reported by The New York Post.

The indictments, unsealed Thursday by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, outline a series of corruption allegations tied to Lewis-Martin’s tenure in City Hall.

Mayor Adams’ longtime confidant Ingrid Lewis-Martin to face fresh corruption charges: sources https://t.co/Mtf0GLCdWv pic.twitter.com/qCYkgqP7mY

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) August 20, 2025

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The accusations range from steering migrant crisis contracts to political allies to accepting bribes that included $10,000 worth of seafood for events.

NEW: Ingrid Lewis-Martin, senior aide to Mayor Adams, was seen walking in handcuffs arriving to Manhattan Criminal Court courtroom, as she faces a new indictment. It’s the second for her and her son, previously charged in December for allegedly pressuring city officials on behalf… pic.twitter.com/Totv1RvyDk

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Lewis-Martin was arraigned on four separate indictments alongside her son, Glen Martin II, former state senator Jesse Hamilton, developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau, and donors Gina and Tony Argento. All of the defendants entered pleas of not guilty.

“If you were willing to pay Ms. Lewis-Martin, she was open for business,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardanico said in court.

One indictment alleges Lewis-Martin worked with Hamilton to direct migrant shelter contracts toward individuals paying her off, including efforts to secure property leases connected to developer Tian Ji Li.

Prosecutors claim Li received 10 percent of a $12 million migrant shelter contract, later wiring $50,000 to Lewis-Martin’s son.

She is also accused of pressuring city officials at the FDNY and Department of Buildings to expedite approvals for Li’s Queens karaoke bar, V Show.

In one message cited by prosecutors, Lewis-Martin allegedly told the fire commissioner, “Whoever responded made an error. Please have a different set of eyes review the Plan.”

Another indictment focuses on Lewis-Martin’s intervention in the controversial redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn.

Adams confidante Ingrid Lewis-Martin charged in sprawling $75K bribery scheme involving key allies https://t.co/QLydfqRuv9

— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) August 21, 2025

Prosecutors said she altered plans to benefit developers Gina and Tony Argento, who opposed lane reductions, texting Gina Argento, “We are ignoring them and continuing with our plan. They can kiss my ass.”

In exchange, prosecutors allege the Argentos paid her $2,500 and arranged a speaking role on the Hulu series Godfather of Harlem.

Additional charges involve her allegedly helping with private home renovation approvals and being compensated with $10,000 worth of seafood. According to court papers, she told the homeowner, “I’m eating one of your crab cakes as I speak to you.”

The new indictments come as Adams seeks reelection while contending with the fallout of earlier corruption controversies.

He has not been accused of wrongdoing in this case, but the charges against close allies, including Lewis-Martin and campaign volunteer Winnie Greco, have intensified scrutiny.

Mayor Adams’ campaign spokesman, Todd Shapiro, said the mayor has not been implicated.

“While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family,” Shapiro said.

City Hall spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak added, “Mayor Adams was not involved in this matter and has not been accused of or implicated in any wrongdoing.

He remains focused on what has always been his priority — serving the 8.5 million New Yorkers who call this city home and making their city safer and more affordable every single day.”

Lewis-Martin was indicted on separate bribery charges late last year, which alleged she accepted $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son. She resigned from her City Hall role shortly before those charges were filed.

Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, rejected the new charges on Thursday, calling them politically motivated. “Her only so-called ‘offense’ was fulfilling her duty—helping fellow citizens navigate the City’s outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy,” he said.

“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.’”

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