Mayor Adams's 'Lioness' and Her Pride Face the Judge

On a dreary Thursday morning, Mayor Eric Adams's former chief advisor and longtime friend, Ingrid Lewis-Martin arrived at a grey Manhattan courtroom in a shiny cream suit, pearl necklace, and handcuffs.

Once inside, the former "Lioness of City Hall" told the judge and the gaggle of journalists crammed in the back of the courtroom that she was not guilty of the charges against her: of allegedly raking in more than $75,000 in bribes in the form of cash, free catering, and a part in the TV show "Godfather of Harlem" in exchange for pushing forward lucrative real estate deals, cutting red tape for fire and building inspections, and partially squashing a plan for a protected bike lane on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. She pleaded not guilty to four counts of fourth-degree conspiracy—a felony charge—and four counts of second-degree bribe-receiving.

Dressed in a checkered suit, Ingrid's nearly 40-year-old son Glenn Martin II also denied the allegations that he helped his mom carry out the schemes, pleading not guilty to two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree and two counts of bribe-receiving in the second degree.