Prosecutors Point to Wider Probe in Bribery Case Against Top Adams Aide
A Court Hearing Reveals Broader Investigation
A court hearing on Tuesday made clear that the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation of Mayor Eric Adams’ former top aide, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, encompasses far more than the bribery and money laundering charges she’s facing.
Phone and Text Communications Reveal Ongoing Investigations
A large quantity of phone and text communications prosecutors obtained prior to the December indictment of Lewis-Martin and her accused co-conspirators relates to ongoing investigations that have yet to result in charges, prosecutors revealed Tuesday. Lewis-Martin, a longtime associate of Adams and his chief advisor, resigned in December, four days before her indictment was unsealed by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.
Bribery and Money Laundering Charges
Prosecutors charged Lewis-Martin with arranging $100,000 in payments for her son, Glenn Martin II, from two builders in exchange for pressuring city buildings inspectors to back off objections to their developments. All four pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
Adams’ Troubles
Adams faces his own troubles with a pending federal indictment on bribery and campaign finance fraud charges. President Trump has criticized the prosecution of Adams, and implied because the case is federal – unlike Lewis-Martin’s – he could pardon him. Adams has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
Subpoena and Phone Seizure
In September, Lewis-Martin received a subpoena from Manhattan federal prosecutors and her phones were seized by the DA when she arrived at JFK International Airport, returning from a Japan vacation with Jesse Hamilton, an Adams’ associate the mayor tasked with handling city leases, and Diana Boutross, a broker for Cushman & Wakefield who works with the city on those real estate deals. Hamilton and Boutross’ phones were also confiscated by the DA.
Broader Investigation Emerges
The existence of an ongoing broader investigation emerged during a virtual court hearing before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Daniel Conviser when defense attorneys complained that the DA, as required, turned over reams of evidence — including phone conversations and texts. In this case, that included material that went well beyond the charges in the December indictment.
Restrictions Imposed
Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardanico argued that Lewis-Martin, Glenn Martin II, and the two contractors should not be allowed to see the material about ongoing investigations because the information could wind up being shared with others under investigation. Prosecutors often impose “attorneys’ eyes-only” restrictions on evidence they turn over to defense attorneys in criminal cases over concerns that the clients could use the material to either warn associates under investigation or to target informants.
Conclusion
The court hearing revealed that the investigation into Lewis-Martin’s activities goes far beyond the bribery and money laundering charges she’s facing. The DA’s decision to impose restrictions on the evidence they’ve turned over to defense attorneys raises questions about the scope of the investigation and the potential implications for others involved.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Ingrid Lewis-Martin?
A: Lewis-Martin is facing charges of bribery and money laundering.
Q: What is the scope of the investigation?
A: The investigation is broader than the charges against Lewis-Martin and includes ongoing investigations that have yet to result in charges.
Q: Why did the DA impose restrictions on the evidence?
A: The DA imposed restrictions to prevent the material from being shared with others under investigation.
Q: What is the status of the cases against the other defendants?
A: The cases against the other defendants are pending.
