New York City’s political scene has been rocked in recent days by a pair of scandals involving former close advisers to Mayor Eric Adams, casting a long shadow over his already embattled reelection campaign. As the city’s political class and voters alike try to make sense of the latest developments, questions swirl about the culture inside City Hall and the impact these controversies could have on the race for mayor.
On August 21, 2025, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, once the chief of staff and a long-trusted confidante to Mayor Adams, was indicted by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. According to The Center Square, Lewis-Martin stands accused of conspiracy and accepting bribes in a sweeping expansion of a City Hall corruption probe that also ensnared her son Glenn D. Martin II, former state Senator Jesse Hamilton, developers Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau, and political donors Tony and Gina Argento. Prosecutors allege that Lewis-Martin accepted more than $75,000 in bribes, an appearance on a TV show, and other favors in exchange for steering city contracts, fast-tracking permits, and influencing city decisions on behalf of those willing to pay.
Specifically, the indictment claims Lewis-Martin diverted lucrative migrant shelter contracts to preferred vendors, approved costly renovations for events at Gracie Mansion and City Hall, and expedited permit reviews for a karaoke bar in exchange for a $50,000 payment made to her son. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg did not mince words in a public statement: “As alleged, Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets. While she allegedly received more than $75,000 in bribes and an appearance on a TV show, every other New Yorker lost out.”
The indictment also details a $2,500 payment from two Brooklyn business owners to convince city transportation officials to abandon a planned redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The allegations paint a picture of a city government where access and influence could be bought, raising concerns about the integrity of municipal decision-making at the highest levels.
Lewis-Martin, who resigned from her post in December 2024 ahead of an earlier indictment involving construction project bribery, has pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, strongly condemned the case as “politically motivated” and a “distortion of the truth.” Aidala insisted, “Her only so-called ‘offense’ was fulfilling her duty — helping fellow citizens navigate the City’s outdated and often overwhelming bureaucracy. At no point did she receive a single dollar or any personal benefit for her assistance.”
While the legal process unfolds, the scandal has landed at a particularly sensitive moment for Mayor Adams. Polls show him trailing in his reelection bid, with frontrunner and Democratic nominee Zorhan Mamdani—a Queens Assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist—and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, both leading the pack. The latest indictments have only added to the mayor’s woes, as he struggles to win back the trust of New Yorkers weary of corruption headlines.
Mayor Adams himself has not been charged or named as a target in the ongoing probe. In a statement from his campaign, spokesperson Todd Shapiro emphasized, “his focus remains on serving the 8.5 million New Yorkers by making our city safer and more affordable every day.” Shapiro also expressed support for Lewis-Martin, describing her as “a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years,” and noted, “she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family.” Shapiro further underscored the mayor’s respect for due process, stating, “Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
But the week’s troubles for Adams did not end there. In a separate incident, former aide Winnie Greco—who resigned as the mayor’s director of Asian affairs in the fall of 2024 amid FBI scrutiny—was suspended from unpaid volunteer work for the Adams campaign after giving a reporter a potato chip bag containing cash. According to The City and the Associated Press, Greco handed the bag, which contained a red envelope with a $100 bill and several $20 bills, to journalist Katie Honan following a campaign event. Greco’s lawyer, Steven Brill, insisted the gesture was not an attempted bribe but a cultural expression of friendship and gratitude common in Chinese tradition. “This was not a bag of cash,” Brill wrote in an email. “In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude. And that’s all that was done here. Winnie‘s intention was born purely out of kindness.”
Greco herself apologized soon after, telling The City, “I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing. I don’t know. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I feel so bad right now.” She reportedly asked the outlet not to publish a story, adding, “I try to be a good person.” The Adams campaign moved quickly to distance itself, with spokesperson Todd Shapiro stating, “We are shocked by these reports. Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter. He has always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards, and his sole focus remains on serving the people of New York City with integrity.”
Greco, who had been a prolific fundraiser within the city’s Chinese American community and a longtime liaison for Adams, previously came under federal scrutiny when agents searched two of her properties in February 2024. She has not been charged with any crime. The City has also reported on allegations that Greco promised a campaign volunteer a city job in exchange for help renovating her home, adding another layer of controversy to her tenure.
The headlines have not gone unnoticed by political observers. On August 24, 2025, CBS News aired a segment featuring political consultant O'Brien Murray and University of Mount Saint Vincent professor J.C. Polanco, who analyzed the mounting scandals. The discussion, as reported by CBS, focused on the “red envelope of cash and the woman the mayor calls his sister facing new corruption charges,” underscoring how the twin controversies have become a central issue in the mayoral race.
Meanwhile, the mayor continues to face fallout from a separate federal investigation. In 2024, Adams was indicted on charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others, allegedly returning the favors by helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without proper fire inspections. However, a federal judge dismissed the case in April 2025 after the Justice Department determined it was interfering with Adams’ ability to assist President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Despite the dismissal, the episode has left a lingering cloud over Adams’ administration and campaign.
For many New Yorkers, the stories of bribery, cash-filled envelopes, and federal investigations evoke a sense of déjà vu, recalling previous eras of scandal in city politics. The mayor’s supporters argue that Adams has not been implicated in the latest cases and remains committed to ethical governance. Critics, however, point to the pattern of close aides facing criminal charges or ethical lapses as evidence of a troubling culture at City Hall.
As the race for City Hall intensifies, the coming weeks will reveal whether the mayor can weather this storm or if voters, weary of scandal, will look elsewhere for leadership. For now, one thing is clear: New York’s political landscape remains as unpredictable—and dramatic—as ever.
