(IntegrityTimes.com) – On Thursday February 29, FBI agents raided 2 homes in the Bronx owned by Winnie Greco, a top aide to New York City Democrat Mayor Eric Adams. Greco, also known by her Chinese name Zheng Qirong, is the mayor’s Asian affairs specialist, but she has worked with him for at least a decade in various capacities. She has been a prolific fund-raiser for Adams, and a liaison with New York’s Chinese communities.
A spokesperson for the FBI confirmed that her properties were being investigated, but there have been no more details forthcoming. Greco apparently had a medical emergency of some kind during the search and was sent to the hospital. Mayor Adams’ office has affirmed that she is now on leave, although whether it is for medical reasons, or the result of the investigation, remains unclear.
Greco has been a person of interest recently due to the accusation that she promised an Adams campaign volunteer a lucrative position in the administration in exchange for free remodeling on one her homes. She is also suspected of using “straw donors” to funnel money to Adams campaign. A “straw donor” is a person whose name is used to disguise financial contributions from foreign governments or donations beyond the legal limit. There is also long-standing concern over Greco’s alleged ties with the Chinese Communist Party, as she regularly attends CCP-sponsored events, and may have been doing consulting for CCP-backed organizations while also working for Adams.
Greco is not the first of Adams’ close associates to be investigated for shady dealings. In November Adam’s chief fundraiser 25-year-old Brianna Suggs, City Hall staffer Rana Abbasova, and Cenk Ocal, who was part of Adams’ transition team, were investigated regarding a complex scandal in connection with the building of a Turkish consulate despite fire hazard concerns. Long-time associate “Bling Bishop” Lamor Whitehead has also been investigated on grounds of various financial schemes and crimes. This is not an exhaustive list, but it should be noted that Adams is not accused of any wrongdoing at this time and is not being investigated.
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