Cash-Filled Red Envelopes Circulate at Eric Adams’ Campaign Events

Mayor Eric Adams has long maintained a strong connection with New York City’s Chinese American community.

Recently, this relationship has taken on a new dimension involving the distribution of red envelopes containing cash at campaign events.

One notable incident involved Winnie Greco, an adviser to Adams, who reportedly gave a reporter from an online news platform a red envelope filled with cash hidden inside a potato chip bag following a campaign gathering.

This event was not isolated. Earlier in July, observers witnessed supporters of Adams handing out cash-filled red envelopes at three separate campaign rallies held in Flushing, Queens; Manhattan’s Chinatown; and Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

At these events, Adams secured backing from prominent leaders within the Chinese community, including several with known affiliations to the Chinese government.

Winnie Greco, a key fundraiser for Adams whose residences were searched by federal agents last year amid investigations into possible Chinese interference in the 2021 mayoral election, attended all three rallies.

The Adams campaign has stated that it was unaware of any payments made to journalists and did not authorize such actions.

Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Adams, emphasized, "The mayor had no knowledge of these activities and does not approve of them. He has never authorized anyone to distribute cash or gifts to reporters. Such conduct is inappropriate and unacceptable."

On July 13, in Flushing, dozens of Chinese American community leaders gathered outside a local public library to express their support for Adams, providing a critical boost as he lags in the polls. Adams, a registered Democrat who assumed office in 2022, is now running as an independent in November’s election amid ongoing federal investigations and controversies surrounding his administration.