Mayor Adams’ supporters spotted handing out red envelopes with cash at 3 summer campaign events: report

Allies of Mayor Eric Adams were spotted at several July campaign events handing out red envelopes stuffed with cash to attendees, including journalists from Chinese-language outlets, according to a bombshell report.

The cash handouts were observed by New York Times reporters at a trio of Adams campaign rallies, including in Flushing, Queens on July 13, in Manhattan’s Chinatown on July 18 and in Sunset Park, Brooklyn on July 27.

Supporters of the mayor at those rallies, according to The Times, gave out cash in traditional Chinese red envelopes to reporters working for Chinese-language media who were covering the events.

The Times report was published one day after disgraced City Hall advisor Winnie Greco was caught doling out dough to a reporter from THE CITY.

The practice of receiving anywhere from $20 to $300 is common among Chinese-language journalists in the Big Apple, one anonymous reporter for a Chinese-language publication who previously attended Adams’ events told The Times. 

That anonymous reporter stated that the groups organizing the press events hand out the money with a tacit understanding that reporters will write positive articles.

The Adams campaign claimed that it was unaware of any payments to reporters.

“Mayor Adams had absolutely no knowledge of this and does not condone it. He had never — and would never — authorize anyone to hand out cash or gifts to reporters. Any such behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable,” spokesman Todd Shapiro told the outlet.

At the campaign event in Flushing, organizer Steven Tin, the director of Better Chinatown USA, was seen “holding out” out $50 bills and distributing red envelopes to reporters from Chinese-language news organizations, the Times reported.

In comments to the outlet, Tin justified the apparent unethical distribution of dough as “common practice” in Chinese culture — stating it is considered a “courtesy” to the “reporters, YouTubers, [and] photographers” who attend press events.

Tin further stated that he would ask the Adams campaign to cover expenses like water and banners for the event — but had not discussed whether they would reimburse him for the cash handouts, according to the report.

Neither Tin nor Better Chinatown responded to The Post’s request for comment.

Robert Mui, CEO of Sing Tao Newspapers, an organizer of some Adams’ rallies, and the head of a local New York Chinese journalists’ group, also confirmed that cash handouts took place at campaign events.

Mui’s Sing Tao Newspaper is registered as foreign agent with the Department of Justice. Sing Tao News Corporation, the parent company of Mui’s publication, publishes a pro-Beijing newspaper in Hong Kong.

Mui told the Times that red envelopes of cash are a “form of appreciation” to cover expenses and generally “subsidize” the salaries of reporters, the outlet reported.

The CEO said Tin, an organizer, “had to” pay reporters cash “otherwise they don’t write their stories,” the report stated.

Mr. Mui could not be reached for comment.

Both Mui and Tin stated that red envelope gifting is considered common practice in China, though it is considered highly unethical in the US.

Greco, a former advisor to Adams, was in attendance at all three rallies in question, the report stated.

On Wednesday, Greco handed a reporter from The CITY a red envelope filled with $300 hidden in a Herr’s sour cream and onion rigged potato chip bag. 

The disgraced City Hall advisor claimed to the outlet a “cultural” misunderstanding was to blame for the mistake.

Steve Brill, a lawyer for Greco, similarly argued instead of nefarious and unethical — the practice of handing out cash to reporters showed his client is caring.

“I think that what we have here is a disconnect between American and Chinese culture,” Brill said. “Handing out red envelopes of cash may be a foreign concept in America, but among Chinese Americans, it is a normal occurrence.

“What I believe is important to remember is that even if it is an unusual practice, that doesn’t make Winnie’s intent, nefarious or immoral. Quite the contrary, Winnie’s intent was a gesture of kindness and friendship,” Brill concluded.

Both Greco and Mui traveled to China with the mayor in 2014, the Times reported.

Mui was the force behind the annual Asian-American parade in Midtown, which was organized with the help of Greco and approved by Adams in 2021, Newsweek reported citing emails obtained by FOIA.

Greco resigned from her post as the mayor’s director of Asian community affairs in October 2024 after she was targeted in multiple federal investigations and has long been scrutinized for her ties to Chinese nationals.