New Manhattan DA Bribery Probe Focuses On Top Adams Aide, Others

NEW YORK CITY — The Adams administration is facing a new probe from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, who are looking into possible bribery linked to the leasing of a number of city commercial properties.

In addition to bribery, prosecutors are investigating possible money laundering and other crimes, according to a New York Times report.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a chief advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, had her phone seized by federal authorities as she returned to New York City following a trip to Japan on Sept. 27.

Federal agents also seized the phones of Jesse Hamilton, a real estate official, Diana Boutross, a private broker and others as part of the probe, according to the report.

Investigators took documents and electronic devices from Lewis-Martin’s home.

“These searches and any negative connotations associated with them or this preplanned vacation are baseless,” Arthur Aidala, Lewis-Martin’s lawyer, said in a statement to the newspaper.

“Ingrid Lewis-Martin has conducted herself at the highest level of ethical standards while serving this city, and in due time all the facts will come out and will be supported by evidence and demonstrate everything was done properly.”

This marks the fifth criminal probe investigating Adams and his administration.

On Tuesday, Mayor Adams vowed to not resign and plans on running for re-election next year.

Around 10 people have since left the administration within the last few weeks.

More Staffers Leave Adams Administration

Also on Tuesday, it was announced that Rana Abbasova, who was a staffer in the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, was fired Monday and Winnie Greco, the mayor's Director of Asian Affairs, tendered her resignation.

Both women's homes were raided by federal authorities, according to a report by Politico.

Abbasova is apparently a key witness in the illegal campaign donations case against the mayor and is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
She has been on leave from work since federal authorities raided her home last November. "Both Winnie Greco and Mohamed Bahi today tendered their resignations,” a City Hall spokesperson told the outlet. “We thank them for their service to the city.

In addition, deputy mayor Sheena Wright officially resigned Tuesday morning.

Wright's home was among those raided by federal authorities on Sept. 4.

Will There Be More Resignations?

Governor Kathy Hochul has reportedly told Mayor Eric Adams to make personnel changes following Tim Pearson's departure.

The New York City Charter gives Hochul the power to suspend and remove Adams from his job.
Adams denied Hochul is overseeing personnel changes.

“I don’t get authorizations to move around personnel,” Adams said to AMNY. “Matter of fact, to the contrary, the governor made it clear that you’re the mayor of the city. You have an obligation to continue the success that we have done together.”