A former senior aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams – who now advises his reelection campaign – reportedly handed a local reporter a bag of potato chips containing cash on Wednesday, according to various reports.
Winnie Greco, 62, gave the bag to Katie Honan, a reporter for The City, just steps from Hizonner’s new campaign office in Harlem, according to the NY Post. Mayor Adams and his campaign are not implicated in the incident.
Winnie Greco Cash Incident Details
Greco reportedly ran into Honan outside the Harlem campaign office. Later, Honan received a text from Greco asking to meet across the street at a nearby TD Bank. At the bank, Honan met Greco and was eventually led to a nearby Whole Foods, where Greco handed her a crumpled bag of Herr’s sour cream and onion rippled potato chips.
Thinking it was merely a snack, Honan declined multiple times, but Greco insisted, according to the report. After parting ways, Honan discovered a red envelope inside the bag containing at least one $100 bill and several $20 bills.
The City described the incident as a “failed payoff,” though sources say Greco claimed the cash transfer was accidental.
What Winnie Greco Said in Response
Greco apologized for the incident in comments to The City on Wednesday evening.
“I make a mistake. I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I feel so bad right now. I’m so sorry honey.”
Following an initial interview, Greco later called back with an attorney present, asking, “can we forget about this? I try to be a good person. Please. Please. Please don’t do in the news nothing about me.”
Greco added, “I just wanted to be her friend. I just wanted to have one good friend. It’s nothing.”
Attorney Steven Brill defended Greco, citing cultural differences, “I can see how this looks strange. But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent. In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude. Winnie is apologetic and embarrassed by any negative impression or confusion that may have caused.”
What Eric Adams’ Campaign Said
Following the report, the Adams reelection campaign immediately suspended Greco’s volunteer activities.
Campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro said, “we are shocked by these reports. Winnie Greco holds no position in this campaign and has been suspended from all volunteer campaign-related activities. Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter. He has always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards, and his sole focus remains on serving the people of New York City with integrity.”
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
