Former Top Adams Aide Faces New Bribery Allegations Involving Diamond Earrings
Prosecutors in Manhattan have levelled serious new accusations against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a former senior aide to ex-New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Court documents filed this week allege she accepted a valuable gift of diamond earrings from two real estate developers and subsequently used her influence to pressure city regulators into fast-tracking their construction projects, overriding legitimate safety concerns in the process.
Details of the Alleged Bribery Scheme
According to the detailed court filing, the alleged corruption occurred shortly after Lewis-Martin met with developers Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi in 2022. Prosecutors state she received a pair of 2-carat diamond earrings, valued at approximately $3,000, from the businessmen. Following this exchange, Lewis-Martin is accused of contacting city officials to expedite approval processes for the developers' ventures.
One specific instance cited involves a proposed renovation of a Manhattan hotel owned by Vaid. Prosecutors claim Lewis-Martin urged the acting commissioner of the Department of Buildings to approve the project despite building inspectors having raised significant safety concerns. After city regulators agreed to accelerate the application, a text message from Lewis-Martin to her son, Glenn D. Martin II, allegedly indicated Vaid would have him "completely covered" regarding his fashion line.
Broader Pattern of Alleged Corruption
These latest allegations expand upon initial charges brought against Lewis-Martin and her son in late 2024, where they were accused of accepting over $100,000 in bribes from the same developers. All parties have pleaded not guilty to those charges. Furthermore, in August, Lewis-Martin faced a separate set of bribery accusations, including allegations she traded political favours—such as cancelling a planned bike lane and directing shelter contracts—for cash, home renovations, and even a television role.
Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, has previously maintained that Lewis-Martin was merely assisting constituents in navigating bureaucratic processes. In response to the latest filing, Aidala criticised its length without addressing the substance, stating, "We look forward to submitting our robust reply to the prosecutor’s desperate 170 page answer to our motion to dismiss. It is the longest answer to a motion we have ever seen and that speaks volumes about their insecurity in their case."
Political Context and Unrelated Investigations
The case against Lewis-Martin, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, surfaced during a period of multiple scandals affecting the Adams administration. It is important to note this investigation is entirely separate from the federal corruption charges previously faced by Mayor Adams himself, which were dismissed by the Justice Department last year. Adams is not accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Lewis-Martin's case.
A spokesperson for the former mayor did not respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations. Similarly, inquiries to attorneys representing Martin II, Vaid, and Dwivedi were not returned, leaving their formal responses to the new details pending.
