Frenetic Activity
The invitations to then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams came roughly six days apart — one to a Taiwan National Day event and the other celebrating the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The instruction Adams delivered to his staff in September 2016 was the same concerning both: “Ask winnie should i attend.”
Winnie Greco, at the time Adams’ volunteer liaison to the Chinese American community, responded affirmatively to the People’s Republic anniversary at the Chinese Consulate General’s office in Manhattan.
But Greco advised turning down the invite from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, writing to Adams’ scheduler that, “This counts as the Independence Day for Taiwanese. It’s best for him to not go due to the conflict between China and Taiwan.”
Blurred Lines
Greco’s dual roles in Adams’ borough hall and her own personal endeavors often blurred together, making it difficult to separate her official duties from her personal interests.
As the indictment describes in the case of Abbasova, the fundraising and networking roles of Greco’s efforts often blended together, making it unclear what was official business and what was personal.
FAQs
Q: Who is Winnie Greco?
A: Winnie Greco is a former volunteer and later paid employee of Eric Adams, serving as an unpaid liaison to the Chinese American community during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President. She later became a government employee, serving as Director of Asian Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.
Q: What were Greco’s responsibilities as an unpaid volunteer?
A: Greco was responsible for connecting Adams with Chinese American leaders and facilitating his attendance at events celebrating Chinese holidays and cultural traditions. She was also involved in fundraising efforts for Adams’ mayoral campaign and other initiatives.
Q: Did Greco play a role in Adams’ fundraising efforts?
A: Yes, Greco was involved in fundraising efforts for Adams’ mayoral campaign, reportedly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for his campaign.
Q: Was Greco aware of the alleged illegal campaign donations and straw donations associated with Adams’ campaign?
A: It is unclear whether Greco was aware of these alleged illegal activities, as the indictment does not suggest that she was directly involved in them. However, her close relationship with Adams and her role in fundraising efforts have raised questions about her knowledge and involvement in these activities.
