Ingrid Lewis-Martin, NYC Mayor Eric Adams' former chief adviser, to face more charges: Lawyer
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, New York City Mayor Eric Adams' former chief adviser who remains a volunteer on his reelection campaign, will appear in court Thursday to face additional charges, her lawyer said.
The lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said the Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to provide details about the new charges.
"Despite a lifetime of service as a law-abiding public servant, Ingrid is being forced to enter court with little information. What she does know is this: she has always served the City with integrity, and she will firmly plead not guilty to every charge," Aidala said in a statement. "While the specifics remain unclear, Ingrid is certain of one thing -- she has broken no laws, and she is not guilty. We will be requesting an expedited trial schedule."
Adams, who is trying to revive a lagging reelection campaign, is not expected to be charged with any wrongdoing and a spokesperson said the new charges against Lewis-Martin have nothing to do with him.
"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," the spokesperson said. "Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration."
Lewis-Martin was previously charged, along with her son, Glenn Martin II, with taking $100,000 in bribes from two businessmen in exchange for official favors. Both pleaded not guilty.
Three other individuals with ties to Adams are also expected to face charges on Thursday, according to sources: Jesse Hamilton, a former state senator and current deputy commissioner of real estate services, and Gina and Tony Argento, Brooklyn business owners and donors to Adams.
Attorney information for Hamilton and the Argentos was not immediately available.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the New York City Department of Investigation had no comment on their charges or the new charges against Lewis-Martin.
Two real estate investors, Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, were also charged with bribery in the case involving Lewis-Martin and her son. They have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors accused of engaging in a $100,000 bribery scheme while Lewis-Martin was in office. She resigned from her position days before surrendering on bribery and money laundering charges in December 2024.
Vaid and Dwivedi are accused of paying Glenn Martin II $100,000 months after Lewis-Martin allegedly performed favors for the two men, including helping them with issues relating to construction permits and a family member's visa, according to the indictment. Lewis-Martin's son allegedly used the money to buy a Porsche, prosecutors said.
The case is separate from federal corruption charges that were brought and then subsequently dropped against Adams. The mayor was indicted last year in the Southern District of New York on five counts in an alleged long-standing conspiracy connected to improper benefits, illegal campaign contributions and an attempted cover-up.
The Department of Justice moved to dismiss the charges, prompting the resignation of several top prosecutors. In April, a federal judge dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived.
The Justice Department sought to have the case dismissed to free up Adams to cooperate with the mayor's immigration agenda, though it wanted the case dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be brought again.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated.
