Eric Adams’ former chief adviser and her son, who was once paid to DJ at City Hall, both pleaded not guilty to bribery charges as the mayor fights his own corruption case.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who until recently was one of the most powerful people in the city government, was brought into a Manhattan courtroom in handcuffs on Thursday.
She and her turntable-turning son Glenn D. Martin II — who goes by the stage name “Suave Luciano” — and real estate investors Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi all pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said Lewis-Martin – who resigned on Sunday – and her son raked in more than $100,000 and other assistance in exchange for her speeding ticket approvals for construction projects.
They alleged that Martin II acted as a “middleman” for his mother while getting help from the businessmen on some of his own ventures, including a clothing line and an attempt to land a Chick-fil-A franchise.
Martin II, who performs under the stage name DJ Suave Luciano, appears to have no previous food service management experience, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, Martin II asked Vaid over the phone for help in handling “questions about previous company history and such.”
Vaid replied that he would “be with you to take care of that.”
Eric Adams’ former chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, and her son Glenn Martin II – aka DJ Suave Luciano (pictured center) – who was once paid to DJ at City Hall, both pleaded not guilty on bribery charges as the mayor fights his guilt. own corruption case
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who until recently was one of the most powerful people in the city government, was brought into a Manhattan courtroom in handcuffs on Thursday
In a text message, Martin II’s attorney, Michael Cibella, accused prosecutors of “distorting facts” against his client, who he said had only “developed a friendship with successful, hard-working businessmen.”
The indictment goes on to describe Martin-Lewis discussing the franchise plan with an unknown person and saying, “Your sister must be rich!” I’m retiring.’
It’s unclear if the franchise ever materialized. A message seeking comment was sent to Chick-fil-A.
The indictment alleged that the luxury car was “something that neither he nor Lewis-Martin could have financed without the kickbacks.”
Martin II – whose father, also named Glenn Martin, worked with Adams on the police force – also had the opportunity to play records at police functions.
DJ Suave Luciano was also present when Adams held a rally declaring war on “drill” music.
At a recent event, Lewis-Martin promised that the performances always came from the goodness of her son’s heart.
‘He always volunteers. They try to write us in the newspaper, but he won’t take any money. He is a volunteer. Just say that’, the New York Post reported.
Until recently, Ingrid Lewis-Martin was one of the most powerful people in the city council under Mayor Eric Adams
Lewis-Martin’s attorney said outside court that she was simply helping a voter cut through the Big Apple’s thick red tape.
“What she did here was just stir things up,” said the attorney, Arthur Aidala, calling the case “ridiculous.”
He said the $100,000 was for a legitimate business deal involving Lewis-Martin’s son, but gave no details.
“From the moment Lewis-Martin became the second-highest person in City Hall, she abused her position and sold her influence to enrich herself and her family,” prosecutors said in a court document.
Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat facing his own federal bribery charge, is not a target of this investigation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
But the indictment deals a new blow to an administration already beset by overlapping scandals, including multiple pay-to-play allegations involving members of Adams’ inner circle.
Lewis-Martin, 63, was one of the mayor’s closest confidantes and held senior positions as Adams climbed the government ranks in New York for nearly two decades.
Prosecutors wrote that Dwivedi, a hotelier with a financial background, and Vaid, a developer who goes by “Pinky,” repeatedly asked Lewis-Martin for help getting approval for projects like a rooftop bar and a hotel.
Ingrid Lewis Martin and her son Glenn Martin surrender to the Manhattan district attorney’s office on corruption charges
Prosecutors said Lewis-Martin — who resigned Sunday — and her son raked in more than $100,000 and other assistance in exchange for her speeding ticket approvals for construction projects
She, in turn, pressured city Buildings Department officials to take action, which they did, prosecutors said.
“Time and time again, she delivered for them,” Bragg said at a news conference, describing the alleged arrangement as “naked cronyism.”
Teny Geragos, Dwivedi’s attorney, said he “did nothing wrong.” We look forward to setting the record straight.”
Court documents say Vaid sent Lewis-Martin text messages clearly asking her to “call your source to approve the request” or to “please get this through,” and that she relayed those requests to a top official at the building.
In one case, a building department employee met with Vaid the next day, according to the documents.
Beginning in December 2022, Lewis-Martin tried to cover her tracks by telling Vaid to “ask questions” through Signal, an encrypted messaging app, prosecutors wrote.
An attorney for Lewis-Martin declined to explain the directive but noted that many government officials use Signal.
In addition to the charges outlined Thursday, prosecutors said in court that Lewis-Martin is the subject of several ongoing investigations.
Lewis-Martin’s lawyer said outside court that she was simply helping a voter cut through the Big Apple’s thick red tape
Lewis-Martin, 63, was one of the mayor’s closest confidantes and held senior positions as Adams climbed the ranks of New York government for nearly two decades.
Prosecutors seized her phone and searched her home in September after meeting her at an airport when she left Japan.
Investigators also seized phones from a senior city official who oversaw a real estate deal and a real estate agent involved in city leases, both of whom accompanied Lewis-Martin on the trip to Japan.
She has said she is being “falsely accused” and that she “has not made any advance arrangements to accept gifts or money, or to have gifts or money given to a family member or friend so that I can do my job.” ‘
Federal prosecutors accused Adams in September of accepting luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreigners seeking to buy his influence.
The mayor has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery. Adams’ federal trial is scheduled for April.
His administration has been surrounded by a series of investigations, searches and seizures, leading to the resignation of his police commissioner, schools chancellor, several deputy mayors and his director of Asian affairs.
Bragg is also prosecuting a bribery conspiracy case against former Building Commissioner Eric Ulrich, who has pleaded not guilty.
No employees or officials of the buildings department have been charged in the alleged scheme involving Lewis-Martin.
Her messages went to Ulrich’s successor, and it’s unclear whether anyone at the agency had any idea of the alleged pay-to-play behind the scenes.
Douglas Muzzio, a retired political science professor and longtime commentator on New York politics, said the latest charges against City Hall “may be the last shoe to drop” in public perception of Adams’ tenure.
But he noted that the mayor has been able to endure his own indictment.