Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime right-hand, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, allegedly accepted more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for political favors while in her powerful role in City Hall, a bombshell set of new indictments revealed Thursday allege.
Lewis-Martin was hit with bribery and conspiracy charges in four sprawling criminal indictments detailing alleged corruption near the highest levels of Adams’ administration, from crooked migrant crisis contracts to a bizarre payoff made in $10,000 worth of seafood.
The indictments unsealed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office come as Adams tries to salvage his re-election campaign, which has been floundering in the wake of his controversially dismissed federal corruption case.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin arrives at Manhattan criminal court to be indicted on criminal charges on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in New York. AP
Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime right-hand, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, allegedly accepted more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for political favors, according to a set of bombshell new indictments. AP
Adams is not implicated in the new indictments against Lewis-Martin. But the charges against his longtime friend — and an incident involving another ally, Winnie Greco, bafflingly handing a reporter a potato chip bag filled with cash Wednesday — fueled the scent of scandal surrounding his administration.
“If you were willing to pay Ms. Lewis-Martin, she was open for business,” said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardanico during the former city official’s arraignment.
The indictments also charge Lewis-Martin’s raunchy DJ son Glen Martin II, well-heeled sibling donors Gina and Tony Argento, developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau and her close pal Jesse Hamilton – a former state senator who now serves as the city’s deputy commissioner for real estate services.
Glen Martin II being walked into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch
Jesse Hamilton (grey suit) was arraigned today in Manhattan. He pleaded not guilty. Steven Hirsch
All pleaded not guilty.
One stunning indictment is focused on Lewis-Martin and others allegedly capitalizing on the migrant crisis, which saw the city shell out $7 billion to take care of asylum seekers.
Lewis-Martin, who served as Adams’ chief adviser, allegedly tapped her bestie Hamilton to take over migrant shelter contracts and steer them toward people who were paying her off, the indictment says.
She, with her son, allegedly worked to help property owners connected to Li secure lease agreements with the city for housing migrants, the indictment states.
At one point, Lewis-Martin bluntly told Hamilton to help Li, court papers allege.
“I need those done…whatever site TJ wants, I need him to get them. Because that’s our f—ing people,” Lewis-Martin said, according to the indictment.
Tian Ji Li was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch
Tian Ji Li being led into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch
Li received 10% of a $12 million migrant shelter contract, the indictment alleged.
He allegedly wired $50,000 of that to Lewis-Martin’s son, according to court papers.
Lewis-Martin also leaned on FDNY and Department of Buildings officials to help fast track approvals for Li’s karaoke bar V Show in Queens, the indictment contends.
“Whoever responded made an error. Please have a different set of eyes review the Plan,” Lewis-Martin allegedly texted the FDNY commissioner.
Lewis-Martin was previously indicted late last year on a separate slate of bribery charges, accusing her of taking $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son, Glenn. Her son, Glenn, is next to her. Steven Hirsch for the the NYPost
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, along with her lawyer Arthur Aidala, holds a press conference to discuss charges against her. Matthew McDermott
Another indictment contends a controversial revamp of McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn was actually Lewis-Martin doing the bidding of the Argentos, who opposed the removal of lanes of traffic.
Lewis-Martin convinced the mayor’s office to redraw their plans, over the objections of Make McGuinness Safe, an advocacy group that supported plans to add bike lanes and pedestrian spaces on the street.
“We do not care what they say,” Lewis-Martin allegedly texted Gina Argento about the group. “We are ignoring them and continuing with our plan. They can kiss my ass.”
The Argentos allegedly returned the favor by paying Lewis-Martin $2,500 — and arranging a speaking role for her on the Hulu show “Godfather of Harlem,” which filmed on their stages, an indictment states.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin pictured in the Hulu show “Godfather of Harlem,” with actor, Forest Whitaker. HULU
The Argentos allegedly arranged for Lewis-Martin’s speaking role on the show. HULU
Prosecutors alleged Lewis-Martin used her position to make money even on small matters, such as allegedly intervening with the city Department of Buildings to help with renovation plans on an unnamed person’s private home.
The thankful homeowner paid off Lewis-Martin with $10,000 worth of free seafood for events at Gracie Mansion and City Hall, according to an indictment.
“I’m eating one of your crab cakes as I speak to you,” she allegedly told the homeowner.
Gina Argento was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch
Tony Argento at his arraignment on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch
The fresh set of corruption allegations comes as Adams tries to rehabilitate himself with New York City voters after a scandal-scarred first term that has tanked his approval rating, leaving him with an uphill battle at winning reelection.
Adams, who has been in a distant fourth place in recent polls, has refused to distance himself from his decades-old friend — allowing her to volunteer for his independent run for mayor.
The mayor’s campaign spokesman, Todd Shapiro, emphasized Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing.
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“While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family,” Shapiro said. “Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
City Hall spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said Adams remains focused on governing New York City.
Glenn Martin II, right, poses with a 2023 Porsche paid for with bribe money as seen in a photo included in court documents released Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, regarding bribery charges against Ingrid Martin-Lewis. Obtained by the Post
“Mayor Adams was not involved in this matter and has not been accused of or implicated in any wrongdoing,” she said. “He remains focused on what has always been his priority — serving the 8.5 million New Yorkers who call this city home and making their city safer and more affordable every single day.”
Lewis-Martin was previously indicted late last year on a separate slate of bribery charges, accusing her of taking $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son, who, along with two hoteliers, was named in that indictment.
Days prior, she resigned from her role in City Hall.
The fresh set of corruption allegations comes as Adams tries to rehabilitate himself with New York City voters after a scandal-scarred first term. Paul Martinka
She has repeatedly maintained that she has not broken the law – and her attorney Arthur Aidala on Thursday cast the new indictments as “lawfare.”
“Her only so-called ‘offense’ was fulfilling her duty—helping fellow citizens navigate the City’s outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy,” Aidala said. “At no point did she receive a single dollar or any personal benefit for her assistance.
“Yet, the District Attorney seeks to portray a dedicated and honest public servant as a criminal. This is not justice—it is a distortion of the truth and a troubling example of politically motivated ‘lawfare.’”