Former Mayor’s Adviser Indicted for Bribery and Conspiracy
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, former long-time adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, was officially indicted alongside her son and two real estate investors Thursday on charges of bribery and conspiracy.
The Indictment
Lewis-Martin and her son, Glenn Martin II, were charged with first-degree bribe receiving and third-degree money laundering, while their alleged co-conspirators, real estate investors Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, were charged with first-degree bribery. All four defendants were charged with fourth-degree conspiracy.
The Charges
Lewis-Martin, 61, is accused of using her position as Chief Advisor to Mayor Adams to illegally influence Department of Buildings and other city decisions in exchange for more than $100,000 in cash and benefits for herself and her son. According to court documents, the defendants traded access and influence for checks and cash from Vaid and Dwivedi, who own businesses and properties around Manhattan.
The Investigation
Prosecutors learned that Vaid and Dwivedi would contact Lewis-Martin and her son repeatedly to expedite permits or push through rejected applications without regard for safety considerations or Department of Buildings expertise. Lewis-Martin allegedly relayed requests to the then-acting DOB commissioner on multiple occasions.
The Allegations
The indictment alleges that Lewis-Martin received two $50,000 checks from her co-conspirators, one from Dwivedi’s company and one from Vaid’s personal account, which she deposited into a joint bank account with her son. He then used that money to buy a Porsche. Additionally, the defendants allegedly used coded language and a secure messaging app to communicate with each other and cover up their alleged conspiracy.
Reaction
Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement saying, “I take all allegations of corruption very seriously and have instructed DOI and the NYPD to thoroughly investigate this matter. Any evidence of wrongdoing will be dealt with promptly and vigorously.”
Conclusion
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a long-time adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, has been indicted alongside her son and two real estate investors on charges of bribery and conspiracy. The indictment accuses Lewis-Martin of using her position to illegally influence city decisions in exchange for cash and benefits. The investigation into the alleged corruption is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What charges was Ingrid Lewis-Martin indicted on?
A: Lewis-Martin was indicted on charges of first-degree bribe receiving, third-degree money laundering, and fourth-degree conspiracy.
Q: What is the alleged motivation behind the indictment?
A: The indictment alleges that Lewis-Martin used her position to illegally influence city decisions in exchange for cash and benefits.
Q: How did the investigation begin?
A: The investigation began after authorities seized Lewis-Martin’s phone and raided her Brooklyn home in connection with an ongoing corruption probe.
Q: Has Lewis-Martin denied any wrongdoing?
A: Yes, Lewis-Martin has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that the indictment is politically motivated.
