A Chip Bag Full of Questions
After a campaign event in Harlem, journalist Katie Honan—who’s known for digging into Mayor Adams’s fundraising network—was approached by Winnie Greco. Greco handed her a bag of sour cream and onion chips, which Honan assumed was a simple thank-you gesture. But inside the bag was a red envelope containing a stack of cash: one $100 bill and several $20s.
When Honan tried to decline, Greco reportedly insisted. Later, realizing what had just happened, the reporter attempted to return the money. Greco stopped responding. Honan then alerted her newsroom and authorities.
This wasn’t a quiet slip-up. It’s part of a disturbing pattern in Adams’s orbit.
“It’s a Culture Thing,” Says Greco
Once the story broke, Greco’s attorney claimed the cash gift was a harmless cultural tradition. In some Asian cultures, red envelopes with money symbolize good fortune and are given as signs of respect or celebration. But this wasn’t a holiday. It wasn’t family. It was a reporter—known for investigating Greco’s former boss—receiving unmarked cash in an unorthodox, secretive way.
Greco later apologized, reportedly saying, “I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing… I feel so bad right now.” But cultural explanations don’t excuse political impropriety—especially not from someone with her history.
A Tainted Track Record
Greco is no newcomer to controversy. She stepped down from her position as Adams’s director of Asian affairs in 2024 after the FBI raided her home as part of a corruption probe tied to campaign fundraising and foreign influence. Even after leaving her official post, she remained close to Adams and active in campaign circles.
Following this latest incident, the Adams campaign quickly suspended Greco from all volunteer roles and insisted the mayor had no knowledge of her actions. But the mayor’s team has been under increasing scrutiny, and this only adds fuel to the fire.
A Campaign Under the Microscope
This isn’t an isolated misstep. Just recently, another Adams insider—Ingrid Lewis‑Martin—was indicted on federal charges of bribery and conspiracy tied to city contracts and private developers. Taken together, these scandals suggest more than coincidence. They hint at a pattern of blurred lines, ethical blind spots, and possible pay-to-play politics within the Adams administration.
Why It Matters
Stuffing cash into a chip bag might sound like a joke, but it’s not funny when it comes to public trust. Whether Greco meant it as a cultural gesture or not, handing off cash in a hidden way to a reporter raises serious red flags. In government, there’s no room for “misunderstandings” like this—especially not from political insiders with a history of sketchy behavior.
This story isn’t just about one woman and one envelope—it’s about the tone set from the top. Voters deserve honesty, transparency, and leaders who don’t play games with et