NYC DA Probes Mayor Adams Over Alleged Leasing Bribery

According to The New York Post, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has launched an inquiry into the Adams administration’s commercial property leasing deals, scrutinizing possible bribery and money laundering. 

Notably, this is the fifth criminal investigation targeting Mayor Eric Adams and his close circle, intensifying scrutiny around City Hall’s real estate dealings.

Long Arm of The Law

As part of the investigation, Mayor Adams’ chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had her phone seized by authorities as she returned from a trip to Japan. The phones of four others associated with Adams, including Jesse Hamilton, a top real estate official, and private broker Diana Boutross, were also confiscated. 

The group, all returning from the same trip, was stopped at JFK Airport on September 27. Investigators also searched Lewis-Martin’s home, removing documents and electronic devices.

Federal Involvement

This investigation is part of a larger probe into alleged misconduct involving the mayor and his administration. 

Federal officials have also issued a grand jury subpoena to Lewis-Martin in connection with Mayor Adams’ dealings with Turkish officials, for which Adams was indicted in a separate inquiry. 

Despite these investigations, Lewis-Martin’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, dismissed any claims of wrongdoing, emphasizing her adherence to ethical standards and calling the searches baseless.

Boiling Frogs

Mayor Adams and his allies are currently facing five separate investigations. The Manhattan DA’s office is leading one, while the US Attorney’s offices for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York are conducting the other four. 

Despite the mounting legal pressure, Adams’ team has maintained its innocence, vowing to clear their names as the investigations unfold.