The New York City mayoral race took a bizarre turn this week after explosive allegations surfaced involving an alleged bribe and a longtime ally of Mayor Eric Adams.
Rival candidate Zohran Mamdani wasted no time in seizing on the scandal, using it as fresh ammunition against the embattled incumbent.
“We are speaking about allegations that none of us would have entertained as possible or plausible, that cash would be stuffed in an envelope within a bag of chips given to a reporter,” Mamdani said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“Even when I say it, it sounds ludicrous, and yet, this is what Mayor Adams’s administration has brought.”
Mamdani framed the incident as proof of deep disillusionment in Big Apple politics.
“And you know, I’ve been asked time and time again, who is my number one opponent in this race? Who am I most fearful of? And frankly, it is the despair and the disaffection that New Yorkers hold for politics that I am running against,” he told reporters.
“And it is one that I do not blame them for, because if you were to see this each and every day, why would you believe in the promise of local government?”
The revelation adds fuel to an already fiery contest. Mamdani is locked in a three-way showdown with Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Both Adams and Cuomo are running as independents after previously identifying as Democrats.
The controversy stems from a report published by THE CITY last week. The outlet detailed how, following a Harlem campaign event, Adams adviser Winnie Greco attempted to hand money to one of its reporters.
According to the report, the cash was delivered inside a red envelope tucked into a chip bag.
Adams’s campaign rapidly responded, with spokesman Todd Shapiro announcing Greco’s suspension from volunteer duties.
“We are shocked by these reports,” Shapiro said, according to THE CITY. “Winnie Grecco [sic] holds no position in this campaign and has been suspended from all VOLUNTEER campaign-related activities. Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter.”
Shapiro insisted Adams had always demanded “the highest ethical and legal standards” and remained focused on serving New Yorkers with integrity.
Steven Brill, attorney for Greco, pushed back on any notion of wrongdoing. “I can see how this looks strange,” Brill admitted.
“But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent. In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.”
According to THE CITY, Greco arranged to meet reporter Katie Honan near Adams’s campaign office.
The two walked to a Whole Foods, where Greco presented Honan with an open chip bag.
Despite Honan’s objections, Greco insisted she take it. Inside was a red envelope containing more than $100.
Honan called Greco shortly after, making it clear she could not accept the cash and offering to return it.
Greco later spoke with the outlet, tearfully apologizing. “I make a mistake,” she said. “I’m so sorry. It’s a culture thing. I don’t know. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I feel so bad right now. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“Can we forget about this? I try to be a good person. Please. Please. Please don’t do in the news nothing about me,” she pleaded.
“I just wanted to be her friend. I just wanted to have one good friend. It’s nothing.”
Brill dismissed any suggestion that the incident was an attempted payoff. “Winnie is apologetic and embarrassed by any negative impression or confusion this may have caused,” he said.
Greco is no stranger to controversy. A longtime Adams loyalist who once served as his Asian affairs adviser, she resigned in October 2024.
Her Bronx home was raided earlier that year in connection with a city investigation into allegations that she misused her position to secure personal perks.
The unfolding scandal only added to the circus-like atmosphere of the mayoral race.
Zohran Mamdani can’t bench press 135 lbs…
So like a good socialist, someone else basically does all the work for him and he celebrates like he did it himself.
Yikes.
pic.twitter.com/Cc0AYYeuTN— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 24, 2025
On Monday, Adams hit back at Mamdani in an unusual way — by mocking his bench-pressing abilities.
Video from a weekend “Men’s Day” event in Brooklyn showed Mamdani struggling to push up two reps of 135 pounds with help from a spotter.
Adams then posted a side-by-side clip of himself powering through multiple reps of the same weight.
“64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves. The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny,’” Adams wrote on social media. “The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”
64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves.
The weight of the job is too heavy for “Mamscrawny.” The only thing he can lift is your taxes. pic.twitter.com/HR6fDPKn0B
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) August 24, 2025
Not to be outdone, Cuomo also joined the pile-on. After his stunning primary defeat to Mamdani, the former governor is mounting his own independent campaign.
On social media, Cuomo took a jab at his rival, writing, “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world.”
