Manhattan DA Probes Adams Administration’s Commercial Leases

Manhattan DA launched a probe into NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, seizing phones and documents in relation to commercial property leases.

At a Glance

The Manhattan DA is investigating City Hall’s leasing of commercial properties.
This is the fifth criminal investigation involving Mayor Eric Adams and his associates.
Top advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s phone was seized at JFK Airport.
The probe involves possible bribery, money laundering, and other crimes.
Adams’ inner circle has been under scrutiny from multiple law enforcement agencies.

New Investigation Targets Adams Administration’s Property Dealings

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the Eric Adams administration’s leasing of commercial properties. This probe marks the fifth criminal investigation involving Mayor Eric Adams and his close associates, further intensifying scrutiny on New York City’s government. The investigation centers on potential bribery, money laundering, and other crimes related to the city’s real estate dealings

On September 27, authorities seized the phones of five individuals, including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams’ chief advisor, upon their return from a trip to Japan. The group’s devices were confiscated at JFK Airport, signaling the gravity of the ongoing investigation. In addition to Lewis-Martin, a top city real estate official and a private broker were among those whose phones were taken. The seizure of Lewis-Martin’s phone was previously reported by outlets, but more details of the investigation have since been uncovered.

Manhattan DA opens probe into Adams admin’s leasing of commercial properties tied to possible bribery: report https://t.co/bOMWxjEFjA pic.twitter.com/HLXAaSqi98

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) October 10, 2024

Expanding Scope of Investigations

The seizure of phones and documents marks a significant escalation in the investigations surrounding Mayor Adams’ administration. Investigators also searched Lewis-Martin’s home, removing additional documents and electronic devices. This latest probe adds to the growing list of inquiries into the mayor’s inner circle, which now includes investigations by the Manhattan DA, 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.

Lewis-Martin has previously maintained her innocence, saying, “We are imperfect, but we’re not thieves, and I do believe that in the end, that 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’s involvement in the investigation is particularly noteworthy, as she was previously served with a grand jury subpoena related to federal investigations into the mayor’s dealings with Turkish officials. The mounting legal challenges facing the administration raise questions about the integrity of City Hall’s operations and the potential impact on New York City’s governance.

Defense and Denials

Despite the intensifying investigations, those close to the Adams administration maintain their innocence. Lewis-Martin’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that the searches and their implications are baseless. The administration continues to project confidence in the face of mounting legal scrutiny.

“These searches and any negative connotations associated with them or this preplanned vacation are baseless,” attorney Arthur Aidala said in a statement.

As the investigations unfold, New York City residents are left to wonder about the potential implications for their local government. The multiple ongoing probes into various aspects of the Adams administration’s activities have cast a shadow over City Hall, raising concerns about transparency and ethical conduct in the highest levels of city leadership.