The operators of a luxurious resort in decrease Manhattan wished to transform their foyer, however the metropolis’s Division of Buildings stood in the best way, voicing concern that the constructing’s current certificates didn’t permit for the proposed renovations.
Enter Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Eric Adams’ just lately resigned — and now indicted — chief adviser.
In keeping with her bribery indictment unsealed Thursday, Lewis-Martin pressed then-Buildings Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik between late 2022 and early 2023 to approve the stalled renovation allow for the four-star Lodge on Rivington on the Decrease East Facet.
Her strain on Vilenchik, the indictment says, was a part of a years-long scheme, during which Lewis-Martin harnessed her authorities affect to assist the resort’s traders, Raizada “Pinky” Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, safe DOB permits in trade for bribes for her and her grownup son, Glenn Martin II. Lewis-Martin, her son and the 2 businessmen pleaded not responsible to bribery, cash laundering and conspiracy costs Thursday.
Mayank Dwivedi, left, and his lawyer Tony Geragos depart courtroom Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Manhattan. (Barry Williams/ New York Day by day Information)
The indictment didn’t handle the result of Lewis-Martin’s conversations with Vilenchik.
On Feb. 24, 2023 — simply over a month after Lewis-Martin requested Vilenchik in over textual content to “please look into this” — the Buildings Division accepted the allow Vaid and Dwivedi had sought to make renovations to the resort’s foyer.
The data present the sign-off got here after the division had initially blocked the venture out of concern it wouldn’t be permissible except Vaid and Dwivedi obtained a brand new property certificates, because the renovations concerned modifying the resort’s second flooring, the place occupancy wasn’t allowed below authentic permits.
The thumbs up additionally got here simply three days after DOB inspectors hit the resort’s operators with a $25,300 high-quality for a “hazardous” defect associated to its facade. In keeping with Buildings Division data, the facade violation continues to be “active” and the high-quality hasn’t been paid.
The Lodge on Rivington, situated at 107 Rivington St. in Manhattan, New York. (Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace)
In complete, Lodge on Rivington, the place single rooms value greater than $300 per evening, presently has $59,800 in excellent penalties for boiler, elevator and facade points, data present. Most of these penalties have been imposed for the reason that DOB inexperienced lit the February 2023 allow for the foyer renovations.
Buildings Division spokesman Andrew Rudansky didn’t say Friday what made his company change its thoughts on clearing the foyer renovation allow, citing “ongoing audits” launched in response to Lewis-Martin’s indictment. He did say “an open violation at a property does not mean that DOB will not let owners fix up other parts of their building.”
Attorneys for Lewis-Martin, Vaid and Dwivedi didn’t return requests for remark Friday. Outdoors of courtroom Thursday, Arthur Aidala, Lewis-Martin’s lawyer, referred to as the fees towards her “ridiculous” and stated any interactions with Vaid and Dwivedi had been “totally legitimate.”
Earlier than the Lodge on Rivington case, Lewis-Martin additionally helped Vaid and Dwivedi with expediting a development allow for Glass Ceiling, a rooftop bar in Midtown they maintain curiosity in, in response to prosecutors.
A rooftop bar, the Glass Ceiling, situated at 1204 Broadway in Manhattan, New York. (Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace)
“The Temporary Certificate of Occupancy of the building has been allowed to expire by the property owners, there is no current Place of Assembly Certificate of Operations for the roof-top restaurant which is arranged to accommodate more than 74 people, and obstructions were found in the exit staircases,” Rudansky stated of Glass Ceiling.
He stated the problems at Glass Ceiling don’t seem correlated with allegations contained within the indictment. He had no speedy replace on security inspections at Lodge on Rivington.
Mayor Adams and Ingrid Lewis-Martin at a press convention in July 2024. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Day by day Information)
Adams is himself below indictment in a separate federal case alleging, amongst different issues, that he pressured former FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro in 2021 to resolve hearth security violations on the Turkish consulate in Manhattan so the constructing may open in time for a go to by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nation’s president. Prosecutors say Adams, who has pleaded not responsible, accepted bribes and unlawful marketing campaign money in trade for serving to with the consulate challenge.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin and her son, Glenn Martin II arrive at Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s workplace on Dec. 19, 2024. (Barry Williams / New York Day by day Information)
Of their indictment, Vavid is quoted as having texted Lewis-Martin on Jan. 17, 2023 he wanted her to do him a “favor” in serving to with the Lodge on Rivington challenge.
After he despatched her that message, prosecutors say Lewis-Martin texted again, referring to an encrypted messaging app: “Please only use Signal for asks.”
Lewis-Martin then despatched a separate textual content to Vilenchik during which she copied Vaid’s request verbatim and added: “Please look into this with thanks and gratitude.”
Glenn Martin II (proper) allegedly used bribe cash to purchase a 2023 Porsche. He’s pictured right here with the automobile and a person who pretended to be Martin II’s father. (Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace)
In trade for her assist with DOB issues, Vaid and Dwivedi gave $100,000 to her and her son, most of which he used to purchase a Porsche, the prosecutors allege.
Court docket papers say the 2 businessmen additionally promised Lewis-Martin they’d spend money on enterprise ventures floated by her son, who’s knowledgeable DJ often known as “Suave Luciano.” Among the many companies Vaid and Dwivedi vowed to assist Martin II launch had been a Chick-fil-A franchise and a vogue line.
Initially Revealed: December 21, 2024 at 11:15 AM EST
