FOLLOW US

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday announced bribery and money laundering charges against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, former chief adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alleging she accepted $100,000 in bribes from two real estate developers in exchange for influencing city approvals for hotel construction projects.

Lewis-Martin and her son, Glenn Martin II, are charged with bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy, while developers Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi face bribery and conspiracy charges.

Alleged Abuse of Power

Prosecutors allege that Lewis-Martin leveraged her senior position in City Hall to bypass regulatory hurdles and secure project approvals through the city's Department of Buildings (DOB) for Vaid and Dwivedi.

“From the moment Lewis-Martin became the second most senior person in City Hall, she abused her position and sold her influence to enrich herself and her family,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a press conference.

Bragg described the charges as a "textbook case of quid pro quo," emphasizing that Lewis-Martin’s actions compromised public trust and city safety standards.

Misuse of Bribe Payments

Court documents allege that Lewis-Martin accepted two $50,000 checks in August 2023, one from Dwivedi’s company and the other from Vaid. The funds were reportedly funneled through her son, Glenn Martin II, who used the money to purchase a Porsche and finance his DJ business.

Prosecutors argue that Lewis-Martin operated as an unofficial consultant for the developers, disregarding DOB’s expertise and safety protocols to expedite their applications.

Developers Also Charged

Vaid and Dwivedi are accused of conspiring with Lewis-Martin to secure approvals for their projects, benefiting from her position of influence within the city government. The developers allegedly relied on her ability to manipulate the process for their financial gain.

Mayor Adams Not Implicated

While Mayor Eric Adams is not implicated in this case, he is facing unrelated federal corruption charges for allegedly accepting bribes from Turkish officials.

Bragg made clear that this indictment does not connect Adams to the actions of his former adviser.

Broader Implications

“This case underscores the importance of rooting out corruption at all levels of government,” Bragg said. “New Yorkers deserve a city government that works for them, not one that sells its influence to the highest bidder.”

What’s Next?

The defendants are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. If convicted, they face substantial fines and prison time.