Manhattan DA Investigates City Hall Leasing Scandal as Part of Broader Probe into Mayor Adams’ Inner Circle

Manhattan DA Investigates City Hall Leasing Scandal as Part of Broader Probe into Mayor Adams’ Inner Circle

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has launched a new investigation into the leasing of commercial properties by New York City Hall, with allegations of possible bribery, money laundering, and other crimes at the center of the inquiry. According to a report in The New York Post, this marks the fifth criminal investigation involving Mayor Eric Adams and his close allies, casting a growing shadow over his administration as investigators dig deeper into his political and financial dealings.

As part of this latest probe, Adams’ chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had her phone seized by authorities upon returning from a trip to Japan last month.  The New York Post report indicated that Lewis-Martin, often described as Adams’ “right-hand woman,” had her device taken as she stepped off a plane at JFK Airport. At the time, the details of the investigation were unclear, but it has since been confirmed that the seizure is linked to an investigation into alleged bribery and corruption surrounding city leasing deals.

Sources have told The New York Times that investigators are scrutinizing potential criminal activities, including bribery and money laundering, involving key figures in City Hall and real estate officials. Along with Lewis-Martin, four others had their phones confiscated, including Jesse Hamilton, a high-ranking city real estate official, and Diana Boutross, a private broker involved in city leases. The New York Post reported that the group had all been returning from the same trip to Japan, where Lewis-Martin and Boutross—longtime friends—traveled together.

The investigation into the city’s leasing practices is part of a broader series of criminal probes targeting Adams’ administration. In addition to the Manhattan DA’s inquiry, the mayor and his close associates are facing investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and three separate probes by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, as was indicated in The New York Post report.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who has played a central role in Adams’ administration, has remained defiant in the face of these allegations. Addressing the investigations, she acknowledged the scrutiny but emphasized that neither she nor her colleagues were guilty of any major wrongdoing. “We are imperfect, but we’re not thieves, and I do believe that in the end, the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA office to investigate us,” Lewis-Martin said, as quoted by The New York Post.

However, the legal pressures on Adams’ inner circle are mounting. Investigators not only seized phones at the airport but also conducted a search of Lewis-Martin’s home, taking documents and additional electronic devices. The report in The New York Post noted that federal officials served her with a grand jury subpoena as part of a separate investigation into the mayor’s dealings with Turkish officials, adding to the complex web of inquiries surrounding Adams’ administration.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Lewis-Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, has dismissed any accusations of misconduct. In a statement to The New York Times, Aidala defended his client, insisting that the searches and the timing of the investigation were baseless. “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,” Aidala said.

The potential implications of these investigations could be far-reaching, not just for Lewis-Martin but for Adams himself. As per the information provided in The New York Post report, Mayor Adams has already been indicted in one of the federal investigations, which relates to his connections with Turkish officials. As his inner circle faces multiple inquiries, Adams’ ability to govern effectively could come under increasing pressure, with critics questioning whether the administration can maintain public trust.

The Manhattan DA’s investigation is particularly focused on the leasing of city-owned commercial properties and whether city officials accepted bribes or engaged in corrupt practices in exchange for favorable leasing deals. While the full scope of the allegations has yet to be revealed, the involvement of both city officials and private real estate brokers points to potentially significant violations of public trust. The New York Post report indicated that the investigation adds to the cloud of suspicion that has followed Adams and his administration as they navigate multiple legal battles.

As the investigations continue to unfold, the public and political observers will be watching closely to see how the Manhattan DA and federal prosecutors proceed. The scrutiny on Adams’ administration, combined with the potential legal ramifications, threatens to undermine the mayor’s agenda and destabilize City Hall at a critical time for New York City. For now, Adams and his closest advisors maintain their innocence, but with five investigations looming, the road ahead looks increasingly uncertain.