Former adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin (proven on this 2022 photograph), mentioned on Dec. 16, 2024 that she might be criminally indicted in a corruption case as quickly as this week.
Photograph by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket through Getty Photos
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Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a day after resigning from Metropolis Corridor as Mayor Eric Adams’ long-time adviser, denied any wrongdoing Monday in an apparently brewing indictment that she and her legal professional claimed may be unsealed this week in Manhattan Legal Court docket.
Lewis-Martin and her authorized consultant, Arthur Aidala, held a Dec. 16 press convention seemingly to get out in entrance of what they are saying is an impending felony indictment from a grand jury which Manhattan District Lawyer’s workplace convened. The New York Instances, citing sources acquainted with the investigation, mentioned that the grand jury was investigating corruption allegations towards Lewis-Martin in addition to her son, Glenn Martin II, and hotelier Mayank Dwivedi.
Taking a web page out of Mayor Adams’ playbook following his felony indictment in September, Lewis-Martin not solely denied the approaching fees Monday but in addition advised the case was politically motivated.
“When you are being unjustly accused of something, you stand up for your rights. And that is exactly what I am doing today,” Lewis-Martin advised reporters. “I am being falsely accused of something. I haven’t been told of what it is. I have never done anything wrong in my capacity in government.”
A spokesperson for the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg declined to touch upon Lewis-Martin’s remarks Monday.
An American chaplain, Lewis-Martin served as Adams’ chief aide since he took workplace in 2022. Earlier than that, she labored with Adams as his chief of employees within the NYS Senate and was his senior advisor throughout his two phrases as Brooklyn borough president.
Mayor Eric Adams deflected quite a few questions from about his long-time adviser’s impending investigation throughout a Dec. 16, 2024 press convention at Metropolis Corridor, as an alternative providing phrases of help and encouragement for her. Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
However her tenure was not with out scandal. In September, she was served with a subpoena by federal authorities simply as she landed at John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport after a visit to Japan.
Federal brokers additionally raided Lewis-Martin’s Brooklyn dwelling, and the Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace seized her telephone. In response to experiences on the time, she was not dwelling when the raid occurred, however her household was.
At Monday’s press convention, Lewis-Martin defended her status constructed over 35 years of service in all three ranges of presidency, saying that she has by no means profited from any workplace which she held.
“During my tenure, I have never taken any gifts, money, anything,” she mentioned. “I have not made any arrangements in advance to take any gifts or money, or to have any gifts or money given to a family member to do my job.”
As for Mayor Adams, Hizzoner deflected quite a few questions from about his long-time adviser’s impending investigation throughout a Monday press convention at Metropolis Corridor, as an alternative providing phrases of help and encouragement for her.
“This morning… I lifted her up in prayer. She not only has been constantly by my side throughout this entire journey, she’s not only a friend, but she’s my sister,” he mentioned. “I just really ask God to give her strength in the days to come.”
The mayor additionally declined to touch upon President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks Monday throughout a separate press convention that he would think about pardoning Adams from the federal corruption fees he faces. Trump mentioned he believes Adams was handled “unfairly,” however didn’t particularly clarify why.
With reporting by Barbara Russo-Lennon
