The operators of a luxurious lodge 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 present certificates didn’t permit for the proposed renovations.
Enter Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Eric Adams’ not too long ago 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 Resort 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 lodge’s buyers, Raizada “Pinky” Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi, safe DOB permits in change 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 court docket Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Manhattan. (Barry Williams/ New York Every day Information)
The indictment didn’t tackle the result of Lewis-Martin’s conversations with Vilenchik.
On Feb. 24, 2023 — simply over a month after Lewis-Martin requested Vilenchik in a textual content to “please look into this” — the Buildings Division permitted the allow Vaid and Dwivedi had sought to make renovations to the lodge’s foyer.
That sign-off got here after the division had initially blocked the venture out of concern it wouldn’t be permissible until Vaid and Dwivedi received a brand new property certificates, because the renovations concerned modifying the lodge’s second ground, the place occupancy wasn’t allowed beneath unique permits.
The thumbs up additionally got here simply three days after DOB inspectors hit the lodge’s operators with a $25,300 wonderful for a “hazardous” defect associated to its facade. In keeping with Buildings Division information, the facade violation remains to be “active” and the wonderful hasn’t been paid.
The Resort on Rivington, positioned at 107 Rivington St. in Manhattan, New York. (Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace)
In whole, Resort on Rivington, the place single rooms price greater than $300 per night time, at the moment has $59,800 in excellent penalties for boiler, elevator and facade points, information 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.”
Legal professionals for Lewis-Martin, Vaid and Dwivedi didn’t return requests for remark Friday. Outdoors of court docket 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 Resort 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 keeping with prosecutors.
A rooftop bar, the Glass Ceiling, positioned at 1204 Broadway in Manhattan, New York. (Manhattan District Lawyer’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 rapid replace on security inspections at Resort on Rivington.
Mayor Adams and Ingrid Lewis-Martin at a press convention in July 2024. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Every day Information)
Adams is himself beneath indictment in a separate federal case alleging, amongst different issues, that he pressured former FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro in 2021 to resolve fireplace 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 change for serving to with the consulate situation.
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 Every 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 Resort on Rivington situation.
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 Lawyer’s Workplace)
In change 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 put money into enterprise ventures floated by her son, who’s knowledgeable DJ often called “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 Printed: December 21, 2024 at 11:15 AM EST
