Two former advisers to Eric Adams were accused of bribery this week, as the embattled mayor of New York City continues his reelection campaign.
Winnie Greco, who was working as an adviser on Adams’ campaign until the story broke, reportedly handed journalist Katie Honan an open bag of Herr’s sour cream and onion with an envelope full of cash inside after a campaign event in Harlem on Wednesday. Honan said that she took the chip bag, thinking it to be a “light snack,” only to find it contained several hundred dollars.
Honan’s outlet, The City, reported that she texted Greco and attempted to return the money, but did not receive a response.
Greco, who previously served as the City Hall Asian Affairs adviser and has been in New York City politics for more than a decade, said the hand-off was a cultural misunderstanding.
“I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing,” she said. “I feel so bad right now. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“I just wanted to be her friend,” Greco added. “I just wanted to have one good friend. It’s nothing.”
On the same day that Greco’s attempted payment was reported, an indictment against Adams’ former chief adviser was unsealed. Ingrid Lewis-Martin is facing bribery and conspiracy charges, accused of accepting more than $75,000 in illegal payments. She pleaded not guilty to all charges on Thursday morning.
“She has always served the city with integrity, and she will firmly plead not guilty to every charge,” her attorney shared in a statement to the New York Times. “While the specifics remain unclear, Ingrid is certain of one thing – she has broken no laws, and she is not guilty.”
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