FBI investigators on Thursday searched the Bronx home of Winnie Greco, one of Mayor Eric Adams’ top advisers at City Hall, officials confirmed to Gothamist, as the mayor faces an ongoing probe into his campaign fundraising.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents entered a home on Gillespie Avenue in the Bronx “to conduct a court authorized law enforcement activity.” The address is registered to Greco, a campaign and City Hall adviser who is currently under a city investigation as well.
Adams’ 2021 campaign has been under federal public corruption investigation for months. Thursday’s raid follows at least two others that have involved the homes of members of the mayor’s inner circle. FBI agents last year raided the home of Brianna Suggs, the mayor’s top fundraiser and Rana Abbasova, a City Hall staffer. Adams himself had his car searched and digital devices seized by federal agents last November.
The mayor has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Greco is listed as a senior policy adviser who is paid $100,0000 a year, according to city payroll records. She helped Adams raise money within the Asian business community for his 2021 campaign and recently came under scrutiny after The City reported she’d misused her position for personal gain.
Shortly afterwards, the mayor’s office referred Greco to the Department of Investigation, which said it had opened a probe into Greco.
News of the Thursday raid was first reported by News12.
The mayor’s office acknowledged Thursday’s FBI raid but did not comment on Greco.
“Our administration will always follow the law, and we always expect all our employees to adhere to the strictest ethical guidelines,” said spokesperson Fabien Levy in a statement. “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.”
Greco has maintained a low profile since November, when news of the city investigation was announced. During a recent Lunar New Year celebration at City Hall, she was present but not photographed with the mayor. She could not immediately be reached for comment.
Her relationship with Adams goes back to his days as Brooklyn borough president, when she worked as a volunteer fundraiser and honorary ambassador to the Chinese community. In 2014, she facilitated an 11-day trip to China for Adams that was paid for by a nonprofit she formed, according to the New York Post.
A neighbor described some 40 FBI agents blocking the street and carrying items back and forth from 1447 and 1448 Gillespie which are connected structures.
“They were here when I left the house at 7 in the morning to take my daughter to school,” Brenda Garcia, who lives across the street, said shortly after 2pm . “They’re still here now.”
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