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Dear New Yorkers,

Winnie Greco, the mayoral aide whose homes were raided by federal law enforcement last week, had been added days earlier to a list of the staffers and advisors City Hall says have “substantial policy discretion.”

The annual list, published Wednesday by the city Conflicts of Interest Board, names employees given “major responsibilities” and discretion to use “independent judgment in connection with determining important agency matters.”

City Hall determined that Greco, a senior advisor and director of Asian affairs for Mayor Eric Adams, met those criteria for the first time this year. Her addition came just a day before the FBI descended on Greco’s two Bronx homes, as well as the New World Mall, where she worked in a rented Adams campaign office in 2021.

Under the city’s rules, employees on the list are barred from fundraising for candidates for citywide office, City Council or borough presidents to avoid conflicts of interests. Greco joined more than 3,000 people across the city government on the list.

It’s unclear what policy Greco oversaw in her position, before taking a medical leave after having a health episode during the FBI raid. She reports directly to the mayor, Politico reported Monday — an unusual arrangement for a community liaison. She has been a steady presence at the mayor’s side at Asian community events and campaign fundraisers, particularly in Chinese communities from Flushing to Sunset Park.

Read more about Greco’s inclusion on the conflict of interests list here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 2/10. Sigh. Rain returns, with dreary conditions for the majority of the day and periodic heavy showers as well. High temperatures reach the upper 40s during the afternoon hours. The vibes are very damp.

Our Other Top Stories

A newly proposed bill by Assemblyman Edward Gibbs (D-Manhattan), a formerly incarcerated state lawmaker, would give state prisoners $2,500 in gate money following their release. Currently, people released from prison only get $40, plus a MetroCard or other form of public transportation. Gibbs says the money would help the estimated 11,000 prisoners who will be released next year pay for basic human needs such as food and housing. The bill may face challenges: Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed multiple bills that add to the state’s immediate budget total, though her executive budget includes $1.1 million to increase gate money from $40 to $200. Roosevelt Island is technically part of Manhattan and home to roughly 12,000 people, but it has an unusual power structure: It is owned by the city, leased to the state and managed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, a public entity whose board members are appointed by the governor. Now, after a period of tumult that included the abrupt departures of the corporation’s last two leaders, Roosevelt Island residents want more say on how the island is run. On the latest episode of FAQ NYC, hosts Christina Greer, Katie Honan and Harry Siegel dig into what’s happening with Winnie Greco, Eric Adams and the feds, and Politico NY education reporter Madina Touré breaks down her reporting on the city’s badly needed, yet underfilled, 3-K program. Listen here.

Reporter’s Notebook

Bronx Building Owners Cut Short Contract With Workers

The Bronx Realty Advisory Board, a coalition of building owners in the borough, exercised its option to end a deal covering 1,400 superintendents, porters, handypersons and door attendants across 433 co-ops, condos and rental apartment buildings just one year into a four-year contract.

BRAB president Billy Schur said that the move was necessary after Albany failed last year to “recognize the need for reforms to save the industry crippled by not only rising economic costs but overreaching regulation.”

32BJ vice president Shirley Aldebol told THE CITY last week that members, who voted to authorize a strike last year before agreeing to a deal that left its workers with pay significantly below that of people doing the same jobs in other boroughs, are prepared to strike now if a new contract can’t be reached.

The deal struck last year included wage increases that reached 75 cents an hour by the fourth year, and maintained workers’ health coverage and the 16-hour threshold for how many hours a week an employee needs to work to be represented by the union. It will now expire on March 31, though a person familiar with negotiations said the negotiation window could be extended.

— Jonathan Custodio

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Tuesday, March 5: Virtual Verbal Description Tour: Giants, in which blind individuals and those with low vision are invited to a vivid verbal exploration of the Brooklyn Museum exhibition Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. Free from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom; registration required. Tuesday, March 5: Hidden Voices: Women's History Month — Session 1, a virtual workshop for students in grades 3-5, about “about three women whose stories have too often been ‘hidden’ from the traditional historical record, but whose lives and legacies continue to shape our collective history and identity in the city.”  Free; registration required. Thursday, March 7: Celebration of Women — The Art of Adventure, a creative workshop that incorporates art and team-building. Free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center in The Bronx.

THE KICKER: East Village standby Veselka is easing back into an all-night schedule in the coming months, reports EV Grieve, beginning on weekends. The beloved Ukrainian restaurant served pierogi and other dishes 24/7 for nearly 30 years until the pandemic, when it reduced nighttime hours. Now the Village is really back.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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