The New York political world was thrown into confusion after a close adviser to Mayor Eric Adams was accused of attempting to bribe a journalist. The alleged bribe did not come in an envelope handed discreetly in a hallway, but in a bag of potato chips containing cash. The strange delivery has turned into one of the most talked-about scandals of the campaign season, raising questions about ethics, culture, and judgment inside the Adams team.
What Happened?
The controversy centers on Winnie Greco, a longtime adviser to Eric Adams who once served as the mayor’s director of Asian affairs at City Hall. During a campaign event in Harlem on August 20, 2025, Greco handed reporter Katie Honan of The City a bag of potato chips. Honan thought it was simply a snack until she looked inside. Hidden in the bag was a red envelope containing several bills, including at least one $100 note and smaller denominations.
Honan quickly contacted Greco to return the envelope, then reported the incident to her editors. Soon after, the New York City Department of Investigation was alerted, and the cash was turned over to authorities.
Greco later apologized, explaining that the gesture was a cultural misunderstanding. In Chinese tradition, giving a red envelope with money can be a way of showing friendship or thanks. Her lawyer emphasized that she did not intend it as a bribe but admitted it was an error in judgment.
Why This Incident Matters
At first glance, the potato chip bag cash gift might seem like a bizarre mistake. But the timing makes it far more serious. The Adams administration has already faced multiple investigations into corruption, fundraising practices, and alleged ties to foreign donors.
Greco herself had stepped down from her official role in 2024 after the FBI raided her properties as part of a broader probe into the administration. Her reappearance at campaign events and her involvement in this scandal puts the Adams re-election effort under fresh scrutiny.
This episode also highlights the fragile line between cultural traditions and political ethics. Even if intended as a friendly gesture, handing a reporter cash—especially concealed in an unusual way—creates the impression of attempted influence.
Campaign Response
The Adams campaign moved quickly to distance itself from the incident. Greco was suspended from all campaign activities, with the mayor’s team stressing that she was only a volunteer and had no formal role in strategy or operations. They also insisted that Adams himself had no knowledge of what occurred.
The City newsroom, where reporter Katie Honan works, said its staff handled the situation properly by refusing the money and reporting it immediately to investigators. The newsroom highlighted the importance of independence in journalism and the danger of even small gifts creating a conflict of interest.
Greco and her legal team continued to frame the episode as a cultural misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt at bribery. Still, critics say the optics are damaging and that the explanation may not be enough to calm suspicions.
Reactions from the Public and Political World
The potato chip bag bribe quickly became a lightning rod in New York politics. Opponents of Adams ridiculed the story, using it as evidence that corruption scandals continue to follow his administration. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo mocked the situation by handing reporters bags of chips during one of his own appearances, saying, “Sometimes a bag of chips is just a bag of chips.”
Commentators across the political spectrum described the incident as both embarrassing and troubling. Some viewed it as another sign of dysfunction inside Adams’s team, while others focused on how small gestures can create big problems in politics.
For the general public, the story sparked both disbelief and satire. Memes flooded social media, with many comparing the cash-filled chip bag to a comedy skit. Yet underneath the humor, the scandal raised serious concerns about ethics in city politics.
The Bigger Picture: Ongoing Investigations
The potato chip bag story is only one piece of a larger puzzle. Mayor Eric Adams’s administration has been under federal and city investigation for more than a year.
One of his former top advisers, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, has been indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. Investigators have also been examining whether campaign contributions were illegally influenced by foreign sources.
For Adams, who is running for re-election, these scandals add to growing political pressure. Even if the potato chip bag incident was a misunderstanding, it reinforces a narrative of questionable behavior around his inner circle.
What Happens Next?
Authorities are still investigating whether Greco’s actions should be considered an attempted bribe or dismissed as a cultural misstep. The outcome will depend on her intent and whether any evidence shows she aimed to influence the reporter’s coverage.
Meanwhile, the Adams campaign must manage the fallout. With multiple aides already facing legal trouble, the mayor’s reputation for integrity has taken repeated hits. Opponents are likely to use the scandal as evidence that Adams cannot control his team or maintain ethical boundaries.
The media and public will continue to scrutinize the campaign, and the potato chip bag story may linger long beyond the legal process. It is unusual, memorable, and easy for voters to understand, making it an effective weapon in the court of public opinion.
Conclusion
The Eric Adams adviser bribery potato chip bag incident shows how quickly politics can spiral into scandal. A bag of chips handed to a reporter may have been intended as a cultural gift, but it now symbolizes deeper concerns about ethics and corruption in New York City politics.
For Adams, the timing could not be worse. As he fights for re-election amid ongoing investigations, even small controversies are magnified. For Greco, the episode may define her career, regardless of whether investigators determine it was a crime or a mistake.
Ultimately, the story serves as a reminder that in politics, appearances matter as much as intentions. Whether it was culture or corruption, hiding cash in a potato chip bag was bound to cause trouble—and now it has become one of the most unusual scandals in New York’s recent history.
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