Ingrid Lewis-Martin Faces Five Separate Indictments on Corruption Charges
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, former chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, has been accused of trading her power for bribes, according to a breakdown of corruption schemes unveiled by the Manhattan district attorney's office. The new allegations add to an ongoing corruption case from last year, where Lewis-Martin and various co-conspirators pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan courtroom. Prosecutors accused Lewis-Martin of using her position to benefit film producers and real estate developers in exchange for cash and other gifts. The charges include trading favors for a television role, steering migrant shelter contracts, and fast-tracking home renovations.
Key Takeaways:
- Lewis-Martin allegedly conspired with film production studio owners Gina and Tony Argento to interrupt a dangerous stretch of roadway redesign in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in exchange for $2,500 and a brief speaking role in the television drama "The Godfather of Harlem."
- Lewis-Martin helped steer migrant shelter contracts to property owners associated with developer Tian Ji Li, who was promised a percentage of the lease agreement, in exchange for $50,000 wired to a company owned by her son.
- Lewis-Martin intervened with city agencies to speed along permit approvals for a karaoke bar building project associated with Li.
- Lewis-Martin fast-tracked home development projects in Brooklyn and the Bronx for real estate developer Yechiel Landau, allowing them to be approved by Housing Preservation and Development quicker than similar projects, in exchange for over $5,000 in home renovations and other benefits.
- Lewis-Martin cut through red tape on a home renovation in exchange for free crabcakes, seafood salad, and thousands of dollars worth of other food, worth over $5,000.
- Co-conspirators included Jesse Hamilton, the current deputy commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and various business partners associated with developers Li and Landau.
Statistics:
- Lewis-Martin accepted $2,500 in exchange for interfering with a roadway redesign in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
- Lewis-Martin was wired $50,000 by developer Tian Ji Li in exchange for steering migrant shelter contracts.
- Over $5,000 worth of home renovations were provided by developer Yechiel Landau in exchange for Lewis-Martin's influence.
- Lewis-Martin received over $5,000 worth of free food at events at Gracie Mansion and City Hall, worth thousands of dollars.
- Lewis-Martin and co-conspirators pleaded not guilty to corruption charges in a Manhattan courtroom.
Sources:
- Gothamist news article (no date)
- Manhattan district attorney's office (https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-has-new-plan-for-mcguinness-boulevard-in-brooklyn-after-months-of-controversy)