Winnie Greco , a former adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams , has claimed that the cash-filled potato chip bag she handed to a journalist was a misunderstood birthday gift , and further alleged that the reporter was attempting to harm her, reported The New York Post.
The incident, first reported by The City, involved Greco passing a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips - stuffed with cash - to reporter Katie Honan . The move was widely seen as an unusual and failed attempt at a payoff, though Greco now says it was cultural.
When approached by the Post on Friday in the Bronx, Greco said: “Before I didn’t know how much in my envelope because it’s my birthday gift that’s Chinese culture. Somebody gave me my birthday gift, I made a big mistake. I'm so sorry. Talk to my lawyer.”
She went on to imply that Honan’s intentions were harmful. “It’s angel, OK, but if somebody wants to hurt me because I have love for my community... I cannot say anything,” she said. When asked directly if she meant Honan was trying to hurt her, she responded, “Yes. Talk to my lawyer.”
Greco’s attorney, Steven Brill, reiterated that the money was meant as a kind gesture, not a bribe. “I can’t comment on the source of the money,” he said, adding it was not intended as anything improper, as quoted by the Post.
Honan told the portal, she was not working on any story involving Greco prior to the unexpected gift. While Greco referred to the packet as a birthday present, the timing remains unclear. Honan’s birthday is in November, and Greco’s birthdate was not confirmed, as Adams' campaign and her attorney declined to provide it.
Greco had resigned from her City Hall post earlier amid scrutiny, and this latest explanation adds to the growing questions around the incident
The incident, first reported by The City, involved Greco passing a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips - stuffed with cash - to reporter Katie Honan . The move was widely seen as an unusual and failed attempt at a payoff, though Greco now says it was cultural.
BREAKING: Eric Adams Advisor Winnie Greco Handed a CITY Reporter Cash Stuffed in a Bag of Potato Chipshttps://t.co/v1WkNf3FFx
— THE CITY (@THECITYNY) August 20, 2025
When approached by the Post on Friday in the Bronx, Greco said: “Before I didn’t know how much in my envelope because it’s my birthday gift that’s Chinese culture. Somebody gave me my birthday gift, I made a big mistake. I'm so sorry. Talk to my lawyer.”
She went on to imply that Honan’s intentions were harmful. “It’s angel, OK, but if somebody wants to hurt me because I have love for my community... I cannot say anything,” she said. When asked directly if she meant Honan was trying to hurt her, she responded, “Yes. Talk to my lawyer.”
Greco’s attorney, Steven Brill, reiterated that the money was meant as a kind gesture, not a bribe. “I can’t comment on the source of the money,” he said, adding it was not intended as anything improper, as quoted by the Post.
Honan told the portal, she was not working on any story involving Greco prior to the unexpected gift. While Greco referred to the packet as a birthday present, the timing remains unclear. Honan’s birthday is in November, and Greco’s birthdate was not confirmed, as Adams' campaign and her attorney declined to provide it.
Greco had resigned from her City Hall post earlier amid scrutiny, and this latest explanation adds to the growing questions around the incident
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