Indictments reveal details of varied bribes, including crab cakes and cash, involving Adams’ confidante.
In a sweeping investigation into corruption within New York City’s government, prosecutors have unveiled a series of serious allegations against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a prominent political confidante of Mayor Eric Adams. Over the span of several years, Lewis-Martin is accused of accepting a wide array of bribes in exchange for facilitating government contracts, permits, and other favors for various benefactors.
Among the reported bribes are complimentary catering services for events held at Gracie Mansion, Mayor Adams’ official residence, sizeable cash payments, and renovations of her Brooklyn home, all while under the aegis of her political influence. This latest wave of indictments, revealed in August 2025, encompass four new charges against Lewis-Martin, building upon previous allegations of corruption that surfaced back in December 2024.
These new indictments further implicate Lewis-Martin’s adult son, Glenn Martin II, along with several other government officials and business entities. Interestingly, all parties involved in the indictments have pleaded not guilty.
Central to the allegations is a significant bribe reportedly solicited from Queens businessman Tian Ji Li, who allegedly transferred ,000 to Glenn Martin II, facilitating the purchase of a luxury Porsche Panamera. In exchange for this and other financial benefits, Lewis-Martin purportedly exerted pressure on the New York City Fire Department to expedite permits for a karaoke bar owned by Li and helped secure a million contract for his associate to house migrants in a city hotel.
Prosecutors have cited specific instances of Lewis-Martin’s unyielding influence, including her communications where she expressed urgency for city officials to support Li’s interests, underscoring her entrenched position in the power dynamics of city bureaucracy.
But the allegations don’t stop with cash transactions. Lewis-Martin also received ,000 worth of catered meals, including seafood dishes, for events at City Hall and Gracie Mansion, further blurring the lines of ethical governance.
Additionally, she is accused of leveraging her influence over a contentious city project to redesign a bike lane on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn, an initiative aimed at enhancing public safety but strongly opposed by influential developers. Bribes, purportedly in the form of payments and favors connected to the entertainment industry, accompanied these machinations, including an appearance on the television series “Godfather of Harlem.”
The investigation sheds light on systemic corruption within city administration, raising urgent questions about governance, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels. As these indictments proceed through the judicial system, they may serve as a critical turning point for the integrity of New York City’s administrative processes. The ongoing scrutiny mirrors broader national conversations about corruption in public office and the need for reform in government ethics.
As the prosecution case unfolds, it will be crucial to assess not only the outcomes for those implicated but also the implications for political accountability in the city moving forward.
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