The Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace has opened an investigation into Metropolis Corridor’s leasing of business properties tied to potential bribery, based on a report.
The most recent probe, components of which had beforehand been reported, marks the fifth felony investigation surrounding Mayor Eric Adams and his shut allies.
As a part of the Manhattan DA’s inquiry, Adams’ right-hand lady, his chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had her cellphone seized by authorities as she stepped off a airplane at JFK Airport following a visit to Japan final month.
The Put up and different media shops reported on the cellphone seizure, although the small print of the investigation weren’t recognized on the time.
Prosecutors are investigating potential bribery, cash laundering and different crimes as a part of the probe, sources have since informed the New York Instances.
Investigators additionally seized the telephones of 4 others along with Adams’ chief advisor together with a prime metropolis actual property official, Jesse Hamilton, and a personal dealer concerned in metropolis leases, Diana Boutross, the newspaper reported Wednesday.
The group was all coming back from a visit to Japan collectively and had their gadgets seized at JFK Airport on Sept. 27, based on sources. Lewis-Martin and Boutross have lengthy been shut mates.
The investigators with the DA’s workplace additionally searched Lewis-Martin’s house and eliminated paperwork and digital gadgets. Across the similar time, she was served with a grand jury subpoena by federal officers investigating the mayor’s dealings with Turkish officers.
Adams was indicted within the second probe.
“We’re imperfect, however we’re not thieves, and I do imagine that ultimately, that the New York Metropolis public will see that now we have not finished something unlawful to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal authorities and the DA workplace to analyze us,” the highest Adams aide beforehand mentioned.
Her lawyer dismissed any allegations of misconduct.
“These searches and any detrimental connotations related to them or this preplanned trip are baseless,” legal professional Arthur Aidala mentioned in an announcement to the Instances.
“Ingrid Lewis-Martin has carried out herself on the highest stage of moral requirements whereas serving this metropolis, and in due time all of the information will come out and might be supported by proof and reveal all the pieces was finished correctly.”
Adams’ internal circle faces 5 investigations complete — one from the Manhattan DA, one from the US legal professional’s workplace for the Jap District of New York and three from the US legal professional’s workplace for the Southern District of New York.
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