Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a longtime confidante and chief advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, announced her resignation on Sunday at a press conference at City Hall. The resignation is effective immediately.
Her departure comes amid ongoing investigations into her and other members of the mayor's administration.
Lewis-Martin's resignation follows a series of legal challenges facing the Adams administration. In September 2024, federal agents intercepted her upon her return from a trip to Japan, seizing her cellphone and serving her with a subpoena related to a corruption case against Mayor Adams. Additionally, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office conducted a search of her Brooklyn home, seizing documents and electronics, reported The New York Post.
Sources indicate that Lewis-Martin is expected to face indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, with charges potentially related to her involvement in city contracts. The specific allegations remain unclear, but investigations have been ongoing into her potential role in leasing commercial properties to close friends, the Post reported.
In a statement following her resignation, Lewis-Martin expressed gratitude for her tenure, stating, "While I previously announced my retirement, this is still a bittersweet moment for me as government has been my life's work." She added, "Now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire."
Mayor Adams responded to her resignation by acknowledging their close relationship, stating, "Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister." He continued, "We've always talked about when this day would come, and while we've long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won't be right next door every day."
Lewis-Martin's departure marks a significant shift within the Adams administration, which has faced multiple departures of key officials amid legal scrutiny. Despite these challenges, Mayor Adams has expressed confidence in the administration's ability to continue its work, stating, "I, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city."
As investigations continue, the future of the Adams administration remains uncertain, with ongoing legal proceedings and potential further departures from key positions.
