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Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the longtime chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, resigned on Sunday, less than three months after she was subpoenaed by federal investigators.
Her departure marks the latest member of the mayor’s inner circle to leave his administration as he fights criminal corruption charges. Lewis-Martin was one of Adams’ closest advisers at City Hall and one of his fiercest defenders. Her friendship with the mayor stretches back four decades, and spans Adam’s rise from an NYPD officer to his political career that culminated in becoming the top elected official in the city.
But Adams’ indictment brought scrutiny on Lewis-Martin. And she has been seldom seen with Adams since he was indicted in September by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District. Adams was charged on five counts that include bribery and soliciting campaign donations from foreign nationals in Turkey. A day after Adams’ indictment was unsealed, investigators seized Lewis-Martin’s phones, issued her a subpoena and searched her home, her attorney confirmed at the time. Investigators with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office took her phones, while federal officials issued the subpoena, suggesting at least two separate investigations.
The mayor’s trial is scheduled for mid-April. He has pleaded not guilty.
In a radio interview in October, Lewis-Martin defended the mayor and his administration. “We are imperfect, but we’re not thieves,” said. “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’s office to investigate us.”
Lewis-Martin’s resignation was first reported by Politico.
Lewis-Martin, 63, wrote in a statement that she is retiring to spend more time with her family.
“I thank God, first and foremost, for allowing me to serve the city that I love for close to 35 years through volunteerism and employment,” she said. “While I previously announced my retirement, this is still a bittersweet moment for me as government has been my life’s work.”
Lewis-Martin is one of several senior City Hall officials to leave the mayor’s administration in recent months. Before Adams was indicted, his NYPD commissioner Edward Caban resigned amid a separate federal investigation. In the weeks following the mayor’s indictment, first deputy mayor Sheena Wright and schools chancellor David Banks, a couple, both left their posts; so did deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks, David’s brother, and Adams’ close friend and senior adviser Timothy Pearson.
In a prepared statement, Adams said Lewis-Martin’s departure from City Hall was “long planned” and celebrated her career in government.
“Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister,” he said.
