Law enforcement officials removed materials Friday from the home of one of Mayor Eric Adams’ top officials.
Neighbors told NY1 that police in an unmarked car arrived at Ingrid Lewis Martin’s East Flatbush home in Brooklyn at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Law enforcement operations began several hours later at the home around 11:30 a.m.
Lewis Martin, Adams’ chief adviser, was indicted Friday morning in Manhattan federal court on charges of accepting bribes from foreigners and illegal campaign contributions.
What you need to know
Law enforcement officials removed documents Friday from the home of Ingrid Lewis Martin, one of Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides.
Lewis Martin is Mr. Adams’ chief adviser, and Mr. Adams was arraigned on the federal charges Friday morning in federal court in Manhattan.
Lewis Martin’s attorney said in a statement that Lewis Martin “was served with a subpoena by the Southern District of New York and her cell phone was turned over to the New York County District Attorney’s Office.”
Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A number of badged officials were seen coming out of the house carrying boxes, some labeled “documents” and “electronic.” Law enforcement officers carried the boxes to several cars parked on the street and then drove off.
There was a placard on the car that read “District Attorney.” The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office later announced that there was no law enforcement activity at the scene.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
In a statement provided to NY1, Lewis Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said Lewis Martin was “served with a subpoena from the Southern District of New York and her cell phone was transferred to the New York County District Attorney’s Office.” It was given to me,” he said.
“She intends to fully cooperate with any investigation, and as far as we are aware, Ms. Ruiz is not the target of any incident,” Aidala said.
Lewis Martin joins a number of Adams administration employees whose cell phones have been confiscated. She is one of the mayor’s closest advisors and usually sits to his left during weekly off-topic briefings.
She has known Adams for many years and is known as one of his closest friends. Adams and Lewis Martin’s husbands worked together in the New York City Police Department.
It’s unclear what law enforcement took from Lewis Martin’s home. Multiple investigations into the Adams administration are ongoing at the same time.
It is unclear whether Lewis Martin was at home due to the activity on Friday. NY1 rang the doorbell at the home several times, but Lewis Martin did not answer.
She has not attended any off-topic meetings with the mayor in recent weeks, and City Hall told NY1 she is on vacation.
In a conversation with City Hall early Friday, City Hall said NY1’s Lewis Martin will be returning home.
