New bribery scandal implicates Eric Adams' chief adviser

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who served as the chief adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is currently facing multiple bribery charges related to alleged corrupt activities during her tenure. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced these charges on August 21, 2025, revealing that Lewis-Martin accepted over $75,000 in bribes along with other illicit benefits across various corruption schemes involving real estate projects and city contracts. The alleged activities occurred between March 2022 and November 2024, indicating a prolonged period of unethical conduct while she was closely associated with the mayor's administration. Lewis-Martin is accused of conspiring with her son, Glenn Martin II, who is also facing charges. Prosecutors claim that the bribery schemes included steering city contracts for asylum-seeker shelters to willing property owners and fast-tracking permits in exchange for renovations on personal residences and large catering services for events held at Gracie Mansion and City Hall. The indictments detail a web of corruption where various individuals related to Mayor Adams, including Jesse Hamilton, a deputy commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, were also implicated. These legal troubles come as Mayor Adams navigates a challenging re-election campaign amid allegations seeking to tie him to corrupt dealings. The depth of these allegations has raised questions about the integrity of Adams' administration, even though a spokesperson for the mayor has stated that he has not been involved in these matters and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. This scandal also features Winnie Greco, another former adviser, who was seen attempting to deliver cash to a journalist, further illustrating the troubling pattern of alleged unethical behavior among his associates. As multiple individuals associated with Adams face legal challenges, the mayor's approval ratings continue to decline, and the narrative against him intensifies in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. The fallout from these scandals could have significant implications not only for Lewis-Martin and her co-accused but also for Mayor Adams as he seeks voter support. The charges against Lewis-Martin depict a deep violation of public trust and underscore the problematic ties between politics, decision-making, and personal enrichment. As the investigations progress, it remains to be seen how these developments will influence both the mayor's campaign and public perception of his leadership in New York City.