Manhattan DA Investigating Possible Bribery Within Adams Administration - Chief Advisor's Phone Seized

Manhattan DA Investigating Possible Bribery Within Adams Administration

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating possible bribery and money laundering within the Adams administration, with a focus on the mayor's close confidante, Ingrid Lewis-Martin.

Last month, authorities seized the phones of five people who were on a trip to Japan, including Lewis-Martin, former State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, and a real estate broker. The search warrant issued at the time indicated the investigation involved potential crimes such as bribery, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing, and money laundering.

The investigation is being led by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, who declined to comment on the case. However, a source told NY1 that the DA's office began asking questions about Lewis-Martin as early as a year ago.

This inquiry is separate from multiple federal probes into the Adams administration, which have already led to the departure of several top officials. Lewis-Martin is seen as one of the mayor's most loyal advisors, and so far, Mayor Adams has expressed his support for her.

Key Individuals Involved:

• Ingrid Lewis-Martin: Mayor Adams's chief advisor and close confidante.
• Jesse Hamilton: Former State Sen. who now works for the administration overseeing the city's real estate portfolio.
• Diana Boutross: Real estate broker at the firm Cushman & Wakefield.
• Adam Clayton Powell IV: Former assemblyman and current lobbyist.

What's Next?

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is continuing its investigation. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this investigation will be, and what impact it will have on the Adams administration.