Two controversial City Hall employees — including Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime confidant Vinny Greco — were kicked out of their jobs Monday, the Post has learned.
Sources said Greco — whom officials believe will likely be indicted by the feds — resigned, while staffer Rana Abbasova, a key figure in the criminal case against Adams, was fired. was fired.
According to sources, two other staffers – Mohammed Bahi, the mayor’s liaison to the Muslim community, and his senior Muslim advisor Ahsan Chutgai – resigned in recent days.
All four could not be immediately reached for comment. Lawyers for Abbasova and Greco did not return calls.
Greco’s resignation is the latest change in the Adams administration amid a mayor facing federal criminal charges — and a directive from Gov. Kathy Hochul that Hizzoner must vacate if he wants to retain his job ahead of a certain blockbuster trial.
Greco served as the mayor’s Asian Affairs Director, and has long been investigated for ties to Chinese nationals.
Insiders said Greco’s departure had become inevitable as people in the administration prepared to charge him with federal authorities in the Eastern District of New York over dealings with foreign countries while he served in city government and Adams. Was working in election campaigns.
Rumors of Greco’s possible ouster intensified Friday when insiders said Adams would do so drumming First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Greco was seen talking to Adams’ chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin. When contacted by The Post, Greco moved quickly, reiterating “no comment” when asked about his possible resignation, the long-rumored indictment against him and the federal raid on his home. .
Adams and Greco have a long history, going back to his days as borough president of Brooklyn, where he served as a volunteer fundraiser and Chinese community liaison.
Adams’ indictment — beyond being the first federal charge against a sitting Big Apple mayor — came after growing federal scrutiny of top City Hall officials, including Greco.
Then in February, federal authorities raided Greco’s Bronx home faced scrutiny The city’s investigations department responded to allegations that he improperly used his City Hall position to receive perks.
She reportedly promised a campaign volunteer a job in Adams’ administration if they would help renovate her kitchen in early 2022.
Greco, who makes $100,000 a year, took a leave of absence from City Hall but returned months later.
His withdrawal apparently sparked controversy with at least one top City Hall official: now-former chief counsel Lisa Zornberg.
Sources said that he Adams pressured to oust GrecoArguing that she could not ethically represent him after he lied on financial disclosure forms.
Adams did not heed Zornberg’s advice and the top lawyer suddenly resigned.
Greco is also cited in the 57-page indictment against Adams, which details $123,000 worth of travel allowances he allegedly received from Turkish officials and citizens.
According to the indictment, she traveled with Adams on trips to two continents during 2017.
For the first time in July and August 2017, Greco joined Adams and the then-President’s son on an exciting excursion jet-setting from Nice, France; Istanbul, Türkiye; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Beijing, China, according to court papers.
“Adams accepted free business class tickets from Turkish Airlines for himself and his companions, totaling more than $35,000,” the indictment reads.
While in Istanbul, the three received huge discounts to stay at the St. Regis Istanbul, where the future mayor took refuge in a luxurious “Bentley Suite”, as the indictment details.
Greco also flew with Adams to Nepal via Istanbul and Beijing during October 2017, the documents said. According to the indictment, the value of the free business class tickets for the couple’s travel totaled more than $16,000.
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