Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who previously served as a chief aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has been charged with bribery, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s announcement on Thursday.

Lewis-Martin allegedly accepted bribes from two property investors in return for speeding up the issuance of construction permits for their businesses, as stated by Bragg’s office.

“We assert that Ingrid Lewis-Martin was involved in an extensive bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy operation by exploiting her role as the Chief Advisor to the Mayor of New York City,” Bragg mentioned in his statement.

She stepped down from her position just last weekend.

Meanwhile, Mayor Adams himself faces an unrelated federal corruption charge involving five counts, stemming from accusations that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and opulent travel from Turkish nationals looking to influence him. Adams has denied any wrongdoing and expressed his intention to contest the charges in court.

Prosecutors report that the investors provided Lewis-Martin’s son with $100,000 in checks in August 2023, which he deposited into a joint bank account with Lewis-Martin and subsequently used to purchase a Porsche.

According to Bragg’s office, Lewis-Martin instructed the investors to utilize the encrypted messaging app Signal to keep the scheme under wraps.

“It seems illogical that a high-ranking city official would accept a bribe via a check deposited into their own account,” stated Arthur Aidala, Lewis-Martin’s lawyer, in an email. “We anticipate that New Yorkers, who Ingrid has served faithfully for many years, will help restore her reputation following a trial.”