Federal agents conducted a “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at two residences of Winnie Greco, a key aide to Mayor Eric Adams, in the Bronx on Thursday, February 29th.
Greco, who serves as the director of Asian Affairs for the mayor, has been under scrutiny by the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI) for allegedly exploiting her position for personal benefits.
The exact reasons behind the FBI’s recent involvement at her Gillespie Avenue home remain undisclosed at this time.
An individual familiar with the investigation informed the Associated Press that the raid was supervised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn and was distinct from the criminal inquiry led by federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
The scene of the operation was marked by a blocked-off intersection and the presence of numerous government vehicles and personnel.
A separate Department of Investigation stems from allegations reported by The City, which spotlighted Greco’s requests to a volunteer from Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign for free home renovations before her appointment in the mayor’s administration.
The same volunteer, once employed by the city, was purportedly pressured to continue this work at Greco’s home during city hours.
Besides Greco’s residence, federal agents also focused on the New World Mall in Flushing, Queens, renowned for its lively food court, Asian supermarket, and the Royal Queen banquet hall, a frequent venue for Mayor Adams.
Greco has been a consistent figure in the mall’s activities.
The inquiry’s focus on the mall comes amidst ongoing investigations into campaign finance activities related to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign.
Last year, the FBI conducted raids on the residences of Brianna Suggs, a top fundraiser for Adams, and Rana Abbasova, a City Hall staffer, as part of their investigation into the 2021 mayoral campaign funding.
Campaign records from Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral bid reveal 121 donations, each totaling $249, of the Jmart supermarket and various lower-income enterprises within the building.
Out of over 100 donors whose campaign filings indicated employment at either the New World Mall or Jmart sites in both Queens and Brooklyn, only seven were confirmed to be registered voters in New York.
Individuals identified as donors informed THE CITY and Documented that they did not authorize the donations attributed to their names.
Some stated they were reimbursed, while others mentioned being instructed to contribute. Under the New York state law, making such straw donations in a campaign is illegal.
Despite these accusations, the Adams campaign and its representatives have firmly stated their adherence to legal and ethical guidelines, emphasizing all contributors’ informed consent and understanding.
Adams’ spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said, “We always expect all our employees to adhere to the strictest ethical guidelines. As we have repeatedly said, we don’t comment on matters that are under review, but will fully cooperate with any review underway. The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing.”
The mall’s owners, particularly Lian Wu Shao, chairman of both the mall and Jmart, have also played essential roles in Adams’ fundraising efforts.
An event organized by Shao in August 2021 raised over $50,000 from contributors, many of whom were employees at the mall.
However, some of those purported donors stated that they had never contributed to the mayor’s campaign.
Tian Ji Li, former co-owner of New World Mall, wields great political influence within New York City’s Chinese American community. Li, identified as the president of the Alliance of Asian American Friends, a coalition reportedly co-founded by Greco, also garnered recognition in the Chinese-language media as the leader of the Adams campaign office in Flushing.
Greco has been identified as a key figure, working from an Adams campaign office within the New World Mall and engaging in various campaign activities.
Greco is described as a volunteer ambassador to Asian communities by Adams’ office and has been praised for liaising with the community and promoting Adams’ campaign. Her niece, Wai Ying Cheng, who is also linked to the campaign, currently occupies a “special assistant” role within the mayor’s office, with a salary of $120,000.
Greco’s financial undertakings also came under the spotlight, with records indicating her purchase of a one-family home in Pelham Bay for $850,000, alongside a $680,000 mortgage.
Despite her $100,000 city job salary, the clarity regarding her primary residence is muddled by her ownership of another property across the street.
An official from Adams’ administration confirmed that Greco is currently on medical leave amidst these developments. The mayor’s office has yet to be approached by the FBI or federal prosecutors regarding this matter.
