From Newsgroup: nyc.politics

Manhattan prosecutors investigating corruption allegations against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, have presented
evidence to a grand jury and could seek an indictment as soon as this
week, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Ms. Lewis-Martin, 63, abruptly resigned from city government on Sunday.

She has been under investigation at least since September, when
investigators from the district attorneyAs office seized her phones at
Kennedy International Airport as she and a group of colleagues and friends were returning from a vacation to Japan. The inquiry has examined possible bribery and money laundering in the cityAs leasing of commercial
properties, several people said in September.

But the district attorneyAs office has also been examining other possible crimes, some of the people said. They include allegations that involve Ms. Lewis-MartinAs son, Glenn Martin II, a professional D.J.; Mayank Dwivedi,
a hotelier who owns and operates several properties in New York City and
the Hamptons; and one of his business associates. Those allegations appear
to be the focus of the possible charges this week, the people said. Their precise nature was unclear, but that aspect of the investigation has
focused on possible bribery and official misconduct, the people said.

The investigation appears to be continuing, and there is no indication
that it is focused on Mr. Adams, who is facing trial in April on unrelated federal charges including bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud.

Ms. Lewis-MartinAs lawyer, Arthur L. Aidala, said in a statement that he
and his client have been aware of the investigation since her phones were seized.

oThe only thing of which we are certain is that Ingrid Lewis-Martin has
served this city admirably for decades in an ethical, moral and law
abiding manner,o the statement said.

Lawyers for Mr. Martin and Mr. Dwivedi did not immediately respond to
requests for comment. A lawyer for Mr. DwivediAs associate declined to comment.

Ms. Lewis-Martin said in her statement announcing her resignation that she planned to spend more time with her family. The statement, which was
issued before The New York Times reported the possible charges against
her, did not address the investigation. Her resignation from the post,
where she was paid approximately $287,000, was first reported by Politico
New York.

Addressing the mayor, she said: oI extend humble gratitude to you for encouraging me to be my authentic self and for having my back during some trying times. As you would say, this has been a good ride; I will use
authorAs license and say that this has been an amazing ride.o

Viewed as the second most powerful person at City Hall, Ms. Lewis-Martin
has been part of Mr. AdamsAs inner circle for decades, becoming known as a fiercely loyal lieutenant who could make deals and fend off threats from opponents.

In a statement on Sunday in response to her resignation, Mr. Adams said
Ms. Lewis-Martin ohas not been just a friend, a confidante and trusted adviser, but also a sister.o

oWeAve always talked about when this day would come, and while weAve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wonAt be right next
door every day,o he said. oI, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city.o

The presentation of evidence to a grand jury and the possibility of
criminal charges against Ms. Lewis-Martin, the mayorAs closest confidant
who has worked with him for decades, could hardly come at a worse time for
Mr. Adams.

The first-term mayorAs trial in April, will come just months before he
will seek a second term in the 2025 mayoral election. Three other federal corruption investigations focused on some of his most senior aides u all
of whom resigned after those inquiries became public u appear to be
grinding along.

Grand juries like the one focused on Ms. Lewis-Martin conduct their work
in secret, and little is publicly known about the evidence that
prosecutors put before the panel. They can ask its 23 members to vote to indict, but that does not ensure that charges will be brought. The jurors could determine that the evidence is insufficient to support criminal
charges.

Spokeswomen for the office of the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, and
the cityAs Department of Investigation, which is conducting the
investigation with the prosecutors, both declined to comment.

Ms. Lewis-MartinAs conduct has come under some scrutiny in connection with several other investigations involving Mr. Adams and members of his inner circle, according to records and people with knowledge of those inquires.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/09/27/multimedia/00ingrid-hfo-01- hzbw/00ingrid-hfo-01-hzbw-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/nyregion/ingrid-lewis-martin-resigns- eric-adams.html

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2