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Throw another shrimp on the bribery.

Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime right-hand Ingrid Lewis-Martin ran a corruption scheme with tentacles reaching across the city, exchanging political favors for $75,000 in bribes — including thousands in seafood and an acting role opposite Forest Whitaker, prosecutors alleged Thursday.

Lewis-Martin exuded irritation as she walked into a Manhattan courtroom, clad in a gold suit jacket with matching pants and heels, to face bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from four separate new indictments.


  Ingrid Lewis-Martin arrives at Manhattan criminal court to be indicted on criminal charges on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in New York. AP Ingrid Lewis-Martin arrives at Manhattan criminal court to be indicted on criminal charges on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in New York. AP

  Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime right-hand, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, allegedly accepted more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for political favors, according to a set of bombshell new indictments. AP Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime right-hand, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, allegedly accepted more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for political favors, according to a set of bombshell new indictments. AP

“If you were willing to pay Ms. Lewis-Martin, she was open for business,” said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardanico during the former senior adviser to Adams’ arraignment.

The marquee indictments unsealed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stunningly accuse Lewis-Martin and others of nefariously capitalizing on the migrant crisis, which saw the city shell out $7 billion to take care of asylum seekers.

The charges come as Adams tries to salvage his re-election campaign, which has been floundering in the wake of his controversially dismissed federal corruption case.


  Glen Martin II being walked into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch Glen Martin II being walked into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch

  Jesse Hamilton (grey suit) was arraigned today in Manhattan. He pleaded not guilty. Steven Hirsch Jesse Hamilton (grey suit) was arraigned today in Manhattan. He pleaded not guilty. Steven Hirsch

Adams is not implicated in the new indictments against Lewis-Martin, who has called herself his “sister ordained by God.” But the charges against his longtime friend — and an incident involving another ally, Winnie Greco, bafflingly handing a reporter a potato chip bag filled with cash Wednesday — fueled the scent of scandal surrounding his administration. 

The indictments also charge Lewis-Martin’s raunchy DJ son Glen Martin II, her close pal Jesse Hamilton – a former state senator who served as the city’s deputy commissioner for real estate services — plus well-heeled sibling soundstage proprietors Gina and Tony Argento and real estate developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau.

All pleaded not guilty.

The indictments broadly cover four distinct alleged schemes:

  • A caper by Lewis-Martin, her son and Li to steer city contracts for migrant shelter sites to preferred property owners. She’s also accused of helping fast-track permit approvals for Li’s karaoke bar in Queens.
  • Lewis-Martin allegedly pushing the city Department of Transportation, at the Argentos’ behest, to walk back its street redesign of Brooklyn’s McGuinness Boulevard adding a bike lane.
  • Hamilton and Lewis-Martin getting home renovations after helping Landau with projects in Red Hook and The Bronx. 
  • Lewis-Martin helping an unnamed homeowner get city Department of Buildings approval for property renovations, for which she received a mountain of seafood.

The biggest alleged cash payment came from the migrant shelter scheme.

Lewis-Martin allegedly tapped her bestie Hamilton — who City Hall officials said resigned Thursday from his position in the Adams administration — to take over the lucrative contracts and steer them toward people who were paying her off, the indictment says.


  Tian Ji Li was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch Tian Ji Li was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch

  Tian Ji Li being led into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch Tian Ji Li being led into the courtroom on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch

At one point, Lewis-Martin bluntly told Hamilton to help Li, who was assisting property owners looking to score shelter contracts, court papers allege.

“I need those done…whatever site TJ wants, I need him to get them. Because that’s our f—ing people,” she said, according to the indictment.

Li received 10% of a $12 million migrant shelter contract, the indictment charged. He then allegedly wired $50,000 of that to Lewis-Martin’s son through his Queens karaoke bar V Show.


  Lewis-Martin was previously indicted late last year on a separate slate of bribery charges, accusing her of taking $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son, Glenn. Her son, Glenn, is next to her. Steven Hirsch for the the NYPost Lewis-Martin was previously indicted late last year on a separate slate of bribery charges, accusing her of taking $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son, Glenn. Her son, Glenn, is next to her. Steven Hirsch for the the NYPost

Li’s V Show, which is one of nine defendants in the indictments, also featured in accusations that Lewis-Martin leaned on FDNY and DOB officials to help fast track fire alarm approvals for the club.

The bar became a regular meeting spot for Lewis-Martin, a fan of karaoke, after it opened in fall 2023, court papers allege. 


  Ingrid Lewis-Martin, along with her lawyer Arthur Aidala, holds a press conference to discuss charges against her. Matthew McDermott Ingrid Lewis-Martin, along with her lawyer Arthur Aidala, holds a press conference to discuss charges against her. Matthew McDermott

Lewis-Martin’s involvement with the McGuinness Boulevard brouhaha came in part after she received a mysterious text in 2022 from a person unnamed in the indictment that read: “Good Morning Ingrid … our friend Gina Argento needs our support has to do with bike lanes.”

The Argentos own Broadway Stages – a sprawling Brooklyn studio where numerous movies and TV shows, including “The Irishman” and “Godfather of Harlem,” have been filmed  – and have donated and helped raise through their employees more than $25,000 for Adams since he was in Brooklyn Borough Hall.


  Ingrid Lewis-Martin pictured in the Hulu show “Godfather of Harlem,” with actor, Forest Whitaker. HULU Ingrid Lewis-Martin pictured in the Hulu show “Godfather of Harlem,” with actor, Forest Whitaker. HULU

The Argentos opposed the removal of lanes of traffic on McGuinness, prosecutors said. 

Lewis-Martin convinced the mayor’s office to redraw their plans, over the objections of Make McGuinness Safe, an advocacy group that supported plans to add bike lanes and pedestrian spaces on the street. 

“We do not care what they say,” Lewis-Martin allegedly texted Gina Argento about the group. “We are ignoring them and continuing with our plan. They can kiss my ass.”


  The Argentos allegedly arranged for Lewis-Martin’s speaking role on the show. HULU The Argentos allegedly arranged for Lewis-Martin’s speaking role on the show. HULU

The Argentos allegedly returned the favor by paying Lewis-Martin $2,500, providing more than $10,000 in catering services for Gracie Mansion, arranging the delivery of clothing items from Bloomingdale’s and helping her land a speaking role on Hulu’s “Godfather of Harlem,” according to court documents.

Lewis-Martin’s “big debut,” as she allegedly called it, was a blink-and-you-missed-it cameo with series lead, Whitaker. The appearance was enough for her to join the Screen Actors Guild, court papers state.


  Gina Argento was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch Gina Argento was arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch

Hamilton and Lewis-Martin both allegedly got home renovations from Landau — a real estate developer —  after helping him smooth out resistance from the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development, an indictment states.

Landau apparently paid $5,000 in renovations at Lewis-Martin’s home and created a living space for her sister to live at Hamilton’s home, according to court papers.

Prosecutors said Lewis-Martin used her position to make money even on small matters, such as allegedly intervening with the DOB to help with renovation plans on an unnamed person’s private home.


  Tony Argento at his arraignment on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch Tony Argento at his arraignment on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Steven Hirsch

The thankful homeowner paid off Lewis-Martin with $10,000 worth of free seafood for three events at Gracie Mansion and a catered lunch for City Hall, according to an indictment.

The seafood spreads included shrimp, salmon, octopus and crab cakes, prosecutors said.

“I’m eating one of your crab cakes as I speak to you,” she allegedly told the homeowner.

A restaurant near Lewis-Martin’s old haunt of Brooklyn Borough Hall appears to have provided the fishy seafood. One worker told The Post that Lewis-Martin had patronized the eatery, while another said it had catered City Hall.

The fresh set of corruption allegations comes as Adams tries to rehabilitate himself with New York City voters after a scandal-scarred first term that has tanked his approval rating, leaving him with an uphill battle at winning reelection.

Adams, who has been in a distant fourth place in recent polls, has refused to distance himself from his decades-old friend — allowing her to volunteer for his independent run for mayor.


  Glenn Martin II, right, poses with a 2023 Porsche paid for with bribe money as seen in a photo included in court documents released Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, regarding bribery charges against Ingrid Martin-Lewis. Obtained by the Post Glenn Martin II, right, poses with a 2023 Porsche paid for with bribe money as seen in a photo included in court documents released Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, regarding bribery charges against Ingrid Martin-Lewis. Obtained by the Post

His mayoral election opponents Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo quickly seized on Lewis-Martin’s indictment, slamming Adams for allegedly fostering corruption in City Hall.

The mayor’s campaign spokesman, Todd Shapiro, emphasized Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing.

“While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family,” Shapiro said. “Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”


  The fresh set of corruption allegations comes as Adams tries to rehabilitate himself with New York City voters after a scandal-scarred first term. Paul Martinka The fresh set of corruption allegations comes as Adams tries to rehabilitate himself with New York City voters after a scandal-scarred first term. Paul Martinka

City Hall spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said Adams remains focused on governing New York City.

“Mayor Adams was not involved in this matter and has not been accused of or implicated in any wrongdoing,” she said. “He remains focused on what has always been his priority — serving the 8.5 million New Yorkers who call this city home and making their city safer and more affordable every single day.”

Lewis-Martin was previously indicted late last year on a separate slate of bribery charges, accusing her of taking $100,000 to cover the cost of a Porsche for her son, who, along with two hoteliers, was named in that indictment.

Days prior, she resigned from her role in City Hall.

She has repeatedly maintained that she has not broken the law – and her attorney Arthur Aidala on Thursday cast the new indictments as “lawfare.”

“Her only so-called ‘offense’ was fulfilling her duty—helping fellow citizens navigate the City’s outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy,” Aidala said. “At no point did she receive a single dollar or any personal benefit for her assistance.

“Yet, the District Attorney seeks to portray a dedicated and honest public servant as a criminal. This is not justice—it is a distortion of the truth and a troubling example of politically motivated ‘lawfare.’”

— Additional reporting by Hannah Fierick

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