Reporter Gets $160 “Bribe” Hidden in Potato Chips

In a bizarre twist to New York’s ongoing political drama, a top campaign adviser to Mayor Eric Adams allegedly handed a local reporter $160 in cash — hidden inside a bag of potato chips — during an event tied to Adams’ re-election campaign.

Katie Honan, a reporter for the nonprofit news site THE CITY, had been covering the opening of Adams’ Harlem campaign office Wednesday when she was approached by Winnie Greco, a longtime Adams fundraiser and former City Hall aide.

According to Honan, Greco texted her after the event and asked to meet outside, next to a TD Bank. The two then walked into a nearby Whole Foods, where Greco handed Honan an open bag of Herr’s Sour Cream & Onion chips.

“I thought it was just chips,” Honan later told editors. “I had no idea what was inside.”

Inside the bag was a red envelope with Chinese characters on it — stuffed with at least one $100 bill and several $20 bills, totaling roughly $160.

Honan immediately tried to return the bag, but Greco insisted she keep it. Feeling uncomfortable, the reporter later opened it, realized what was inside, and called Greco to give it back.

“I can’t take this,” Honan said in a text message obtained by THE CITY. “When can I return it?”

Greco never responded.

Honan then handed the envelope over to her editors, who contacted the New York City Department of Investigation. Within hours, federal prosecutors were involved, and FBI investigators collected the chip bag as evidence.

When reached for comment, Greco insisted it was a cultural misunderstanding.

“I make a mistake,” Greco said, audibly distraught. “It’s a culture thing. In Chinese tradition, giving money in a red envelope is a gesture of friendship. I didn’t mean anything bad. I just wanted a friend.”

Her attorney, Steven Brill, doubled down on that explanation:

“I can see how this looks strange,” Brill said. “But Winnie’s intent was innocent. In Chinese culture, giving red envelopes is a sign of gratitude and respect. She never meant to influence reporting.”

The Adams campaign quickly suspended Greco from all activities and claimed the mayor had “no prior knowledge” of the incident.

“We are shocked,” campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro said. “Mayor Adams has always demanded the highest ethical standards. This behavior does not reflect his campaign or his values.”

But critics aren’t buying it.

Greco has been under federal investigation since early 2024 for allegedly falsifying campaign donation records, a violation of New York City’s campaign finance laws. Her home was raided by the FBI last year as part of a broader probe into Adams’ fundraising network and ties to influential Chinese-American donors.

“She’s been Adams’ right hand for over a decade,” said political analyst Carla Berman. “To suggest this was just an innocent cultural misunderstanding stretches credibility.”

With President Trump back in the White House and federal prosecutors cracking down on corruption nationwide, this latest episode could spell serious trouble for Adams — a Democrat already facing sagging approval ratings.

“This isn’t about potato chips,” said NYU law professor Daniel Keene. “It’s about transparency, campaign finance, and whether voters can trust their leaders.”

The Department of Justice has not announced formal charges, but investigators confirmed the incident is now part of a larger inquiry into Adams’ campaign fundraising.