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Corruption Allegations Rock NYC's Entertainment Industry: Ties to Mayor Adams Exposed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Prosecutors have charged Mayor Eric Adams' former top adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, and the owners of a prominent production studio, Gina and Tony Argento, with bribery in connection with the TV show "Godfather of Harlem". The indictment alleges that the Argentos provided Lewis-Martin with a role on the show in exchange for her support in scaling back a bike lane project near the company's business. This is not the first instance of a close tie between the Argentos and Adams' inner circle, as the family has backed Adams for years and has donated over $15,000 to his campaigns.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Argentos, owners of Broadway Stages, employed Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Adams' former top adviser, in a role on the TV show "Godfather of Harlem" in 2022.
  • Jordan Coleman, Adams' son, served as actor Forest Whitaker's personal assistant during the show's second season in 2020, despite his stated role as a COVID monitor.
  • Lewis-Martin expressed her gratitude to the Argentos for her role in the show, texting Tony Argento "Thank you. It was everything."
  • The Argentos opposed a "road diet" on McGuinness Boulevard, which put them at odds with street safety advocates.
  • Adams' administration initially planned to implement a substantial redesign of the road with a protected bike lane, but scaled it back months later.
  • Lewis-Martin dismissed street safety advocates' concerns in a phone call to a City Hall staffer, saying "Just make sure we shut their a--es down on McGuinness."

Statistics:

  • Over $15,000 donated by the Argentos to Mayor Adams' campaigns.
  • $100,000 donated to a now-defunct nonprofit that Adams backed when he was borough president.
  • 2022: the year Lewis-Martin was employed in a role on "Godfather of Harlem".
  • 2020: the year Jordan Coleman served as Forest Whitaker's personal assistant during the show's second season.
  • 2021: the year Jordan Coleman continued to serve as Forest Whitaker's personal assistant during the show's third season.
  • 2023: the year Adams scaled back the bike lane project on McGuinness Boulevard.

Sources:

  • [1] https://gothamist.com/news/vision-12500-how-suspected-corruption-spilled-into-battle-over-the-mcguinness-blvd-bike-lane
  • [2] https://gothamist.com/news/mayor-adams-former-top-adviser-accused-of-wide-ranging-bribery-schemes
  • [3] https://nypost.com/2023/01/14/jordan-coleman-son-of-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-prepping-first-album/
  • [4] https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/08/eric-adams-son-made-zombie-rap-film-argento-son/407590/#:~:text=Colemans%20%E2%80%9CStriking%20Back%2C%E2%80%9D%20billed,Manhattan%20District%20Attorney%20Alvin%20Bragg.

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