Former advisor to New York mayor surrenders to prosecutors to face charges

NEW YORK (AP) — The former top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams turned herself in Thursday to face corruption charges amid investigations into multiple aides and allies of the city leader.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who resigned Sunday from her position as one of City Hall’s most powerful officials, was seen entering Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office Thursday morning.

Bragg and city Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber have scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon. The matter was not announced, but two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Lewis-Martin will be indicted that afternoon on charges brought by Bragg’s office.

The people were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The specific charges against Lewis-Martin were not publicly announced.

Messages seeking comment were left Thursday with the district attorney’s office and with Lewis-Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala.

The Investigation Department declined to comment Wednesday.

Aidala told reporters this week that Lewis-Martin was expected to face criminal charges related to alleged improper gifts.

Lewis-Martin said Monday that she was being “falsely accused” and that “I have not made any arrangements in advance to receive gifts or money, nor for gifts or money to be given to a family member or friend for me to do.” my job.”

Adams’ administration has been rocked by criminal investigations. The mayor, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery in an unrelated federal case scheduled for trial next April.

Lewis-Martin, 63, has been one of the mayor’s closest confidants, serving in high-level roles as Adams rose through the ranks of the New York administration for nearly two decades.

Prosecutors met her at a New York airport in September as she got off a flight from Japan. He was served with a subpoena while Manhattan prosecutors confiscated his phones and searched his home.

Adams was charged in September with accepting lavish travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreigners seeking to buy his influence. That investigation became public late last year after federal agents searched the home of the mayor’s top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs. Lewis-Martin has referred to Suggs as her goddaughter.

Since then, the Adams administration has been embroiled in a series of searches and seizures by investigators, leading to the resignations of top officials, including his police commissioner, education director, several deputy mayors and his director of Asian affairs. .