Winnie Greco, longtime adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has recently stepped down. She stepped down as an unpaid volunteer after allegations surfaced tying her to a federal bribery scheme. Greco’s resignation follows a tough year where she faced the ire of federal investigators and local media.
On Wednesday, following a campaign event for Adams’ re-election, Greco was accused of handing reporter Katie Honan a potato chip bag filled with cash. This strange gesture was said to have included a $100 bill mixed with a number of $20 bills. Greco’s attorney, Steven Brill, maintained that her motivation was to be nice and friendly.
Since then, Greco has helped facilitate the flow of information between the mayor’s office and the city’s Chinese American community—the largest in the state. Her actions were particularly controversial, in light of the fact that she had recently been targeted by Honan in connection to other potentially shady activities.
In the aftermath of the incident, Greco took to the mat and owned her actions. She replied, “I just want to be a good person,” and then continued with her apology, “I’m so sorry… It’s a culture thing. I don’t know. I don’t comprehend. I’m so sorry. I feel so bad right now.”
Given these developments, Eric Adams’ re-election campaign quickly suspended Greco from her volunteer position. The campaign focused heavily on the idea that Adams had no idea what she was doing.
In early February 2024, federal agents executed search warrants on two properties owned by Greco. In so doing, they were executing a state-mandated, in-progress investigation into corruption-bribery allegations.
In defense of the circumstances surrounding Greco, Brill contended that the whole case is being “blown out of proportion.” He said that though the details of the case are still murky, Greco stands by her innocence. He added, “This was not a bag of money,” digging his client in deeper as he continued to defend his client’s actions.
Winnie Greco’s legal representative, Arthur L Aidala, has affirmed that she will plead not guilty to all charges against her. And she has always served the city with integrity,” Aidala claimed. He further noted that for Greco, as it stands right now, the opportunity seems strong. She wrote, “Though the details are still unclear, let me be clear on one point — I have committed no crime, and am innocent.”