NEW YORK — Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who has been New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ high advisor for years, introduced her retirement on Sunday, efficient instantly.
The announcement got here as Manhattan prosecutors investigating corruption allegations towards her have reportedly offered proof to a grand jury.
According to The New York Times, a grand jury may search an indictment as quickly as this week.
Lewis-Martin leaving a month sooner than anticipated
Lewis-Martin has been with Adams since he was a state senator in Brooklyn, and is without doubt one of the final in his inside circle to go away workplace. Her departure comes a month sooner than anticipated.
In a press release Sunday, she stated, partially, “Know that I’ll proceed to do every thing in my energy to struggle for this nice metropolis daily as a non-public citizen. The time has come for me to concentrate on my fantastic household and myself and retire.”
Adams launched a press release on his high advisor’s resignation, saying, “While we have lengthy deliberate for it, it’s nonetheless laborious to know that Ingrid will not be proper subsequent door daily. I, and each New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her a long time of service to our metropolis.”
Lewis-Martin’s legal professional is predicted to talk at a information convention on Monday.
The investigation of Lewis-Martin
On Sept. 27, federal brokers subpoenaed Lewis-Martin and seized her cellphone after she returned from a trip to Japan. On that very same day, investigators additionally searched her Brooklyn dwelling and Adams entered a not guilty plea on federal corruption charges. His trial is scheduled for April, simply months earlier than he’ll search reelection.
In October, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office introduced it had opened an investigation into Lewis-Martin and 4 others, reportedly involving the city’s leasing of commercial properties.
“We are imperfect, however we’re not thieves,” Lewis-Martin stated on her legal professional’s radio present again in September. “And I do consider that in the long run, that the New York City public will see that we’ve got not performed something unlawful to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal authorities and the DA workplace to research us.”
It’s unclear what proof prosecutors are reportedly presenting to a grand jury panel, which may vote to indict.
Legal professional JC Polanco advised CBS News New York Lewis-Martin’s scenario “is just not welcome information.”
“Look, the mayor is attempting very laborious to maneuver ahead, get the town again in place, work with the incoming administration. The final thing he wanted was any extra unhealthy information coming down the pike,” Polanco added. “She has performed an necessary function with union negotiations, zoning legal guidelines, working with the City Council. She’s has a protracted, storied profession, and, we’ve got to recollect, as an legal professional, everybody right here is harmless till confirmed responsible.”
