Former City Hall Advisor Charged with Bribery and Money Laundering
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former chief advisor and a longtime close associate of Mayor Eric Adams, used her powerful position to grease the bureaucratic wheels for two businessmen in exchange for a $100,000 bribe that helped her son buy a Porsche, the Manhattan district attorney charged Thursday.
Indictment Details
Lewis-Martin, her son Glen Martin II, and the two businessmen, Raizada (Pinky) Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, surrendered to the office of DA Alvin Bragg early Thursday and were later led into a 15th-floor courtroom in Manhattan Supreme Court with their hands rear-cuffed to be arraigned on a variety of felonies.
The 19-page indictment lays out a scheme in which Lewis-Martin — the No. 2 official at City Hall — pressured top buildings department officials to expedite approvals of inspections at a Lower East Side hotel and a Herald Square rooftop bar where inspectors had raised concerns about safety.
Payments and Bribes
Bragg alleges the businessmen wrote two checks worth a total of $100,000 to Lewis-Martin’s son Martin II, who deposited them in a bank account he shared jointly with his mother. The DA alleged the son then transferred $50,000 to his DJ company, Suave Productions, to pay toward a $120,000 Porsche.
Investigations and Arrests
In September, the DA seized Lewis-Martin’s phone and the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office served her with a grand jury subpoena as she exited the gate at JFK International Airport, returning home from a trip to Japan. On Thursday, prosecutors revealed Lewis-Martin is now facing multiple ongoing investigations, including inquiries handled by the city Department of Investigation that began back in June 2023.
Defendants Plead Not Guilty
All four defendants pleaded not guilty at an afternoon arraignment during which Lewis-Martin’s defense attorney, Arthur Aidala, insisted his client is ready to contest the case out of the gate.
Conclusion
The indictment of Ingrid Lewis-Martin and her co-defendants highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions. The alleged scheme to use her position to grease the wheels for two businessmen in exchange for a bribe is a clear violation of the public trust. The investigation and prosecution of this case serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that those who engage in corrupt behavior will be held accountable.
FAQs
Q: What is the alleged scheme?
A: Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a former chief advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, allegedly used her position to pressure buildings department officials to expedite approvals for two businessmen in exchange for a $100,000 bribe.
Q: What is the outcome of the investigation?
A: Lewis-Martin, her son Glen Martin II, and the two businessmen, Raizada (Pinky) Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, were charged with bribery and money laundering.
Q: What is the defense’s position?
A: Lewis-Martin’s defense attorney, Arthur Aidala, has insisted that his client is innocent and ready to contest the case.
Q: What is the next step in the investigation?
A: The Manhattan district attorney’s office will continue to investigate and prosecute the case, with a trial date to be scheduled.
