this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 120 points 1 month ago

What about the chips?

[–] kinkles@sh.itjust.works 113 points 1 month ago

Before people go and make up wild conspiracies, stop and consider this could have just been an innocent bribe.

[–] Plebcouncilman@sh.itjust.works 54 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (6 children)

Im always appalled at how cheaply people sell themselves. Like who the fuck takes a $100 dollar bribe? The fuck you do with a $100 bucks? Buy some eggs? I would be insulted, livid even. I’ve seen only fans models charge that for less than 1 minute videos barely showing nipples. I would literally blow the whistle myself if I was the reporter.

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 40 points 1 month ago (1 children)

that's exactly what happened

[–] Plebcouncilman@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Oh really? I did not read this specific article because NYT reported on it, yet failed to mention that detail. Made it seem like someone just noticed. Good for them.

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 9 points 1 month ago

NYT did say CITY blew the whistle but only this article says the reporter reported the incident to CITY ig

[–] neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I agree, once I saw some politician took like 5k in bribes or something maybe it was 10k. Either way it was wildly low in my mind.

Maybe he only got caught accepting 5k but there was more or maybe these politicians are getting so many bribes all the time and they just keep trickling in “small” amounts.

Who knows.

[–] gonzo-rand19@moist.catsweat.com 7 points 1 month ago

If you check OpenSecrets, a lot of US congresspeople take bribes that are under $15k. They take a lot of them from multiple different lobby groups instead of a big bribe from just a handful. I guess it helps to give them more ways to network once they're out of office too.

[–] mlg@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

The amount of captured and arrested spies in the US that have bribes as low as a lump sum of $10k is astounding for the type of information they provided to a foreign entity.

Economy must be screwed if people are giving away top secret state secrets to China for a measley 10 grand lol.

[–] ruuster13@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 month ago

What if the real story is just that Adams is out of money?

[–] ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

it was $100 after that piece of evidence passed through dozens of sticky official fingers.

[–] wolframhydroxide@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

"Late Thursday night, Officer Alice opened a closet during a warranted search of the home of local drug kingpin Bob Charles, finding fifteen duffle bags full of cash. After calling her partner to confirm the find, the twelve duffle bags were moved to the front lawn, where Sergeant Dinkleberg confirmed that the ten bags of cash would be logged for civil asset forfeiture. While no other evidence of criminal activity was found at the residence, the the five bags were processed into evidence by the duty officer at evidence lockup upon arriving at the station. In a move surprising many familiar with the DA's track record, local District Attorney Earl Franklin decided to bring charges of money laundering against Bob Charles, giving the following statement:

"In our judgement, we feel that the five duffle bags, each half-full of cash, are sufficient evidence to bring charges of money laundering and racketeering against Mr. Charles".

During the process of Discovery, bailiffs brought the two bags, each half-full of what appear to be $100 bills, to the courthouse for the confirmation of Mr. Charles' defense attorney, Gail Hagen. After the bag of $20 bills was replaced in evidence lockup, the amount, totalling just over $10000 (an amount sufficient to trigger structuring flags in banking) was set aside for trial."

[–] Zugyuk@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I think it's funny to suggest that people try to bribe me to get what they want. Only illegal for public officials, and i could use the cash.

[–] Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip 40 points 1 month ago

Its one thing to claim that giving money is a gesture of friendship.... its another to do so by concealing the envelope in a bag of chips.

[–] crank0271@lemmy.world 32 points 1 month ago (2 children)

“I can see how this looks strange,” [her attorney Steven] Brill said. “But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent. In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude. Winnie is apologetic and embarrassed by any negative impression or confusion this may have caused.”

Ah yes, the ol' "this is all a cultural misunderstanding..."

"We are shocked by these reports,” [campaign spokesperson Todd] Shapiro said. "[...] Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter. He has always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards...”

Lol and also lmao

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 15 points 1 month ago

I'll admit to not really knowing jack about Chinese culture, but even within the tiny bubble of insight into that topic that's managed to find a vacant corner in my brain, my understanding is that gifts, monetary or otherwise, put a lot of emphasis on presentation in Chinese culture. Like, $5 placed in a handmade box and delivered in a ceremonious way would be taken as super thoughtful and respectful, vs any amount - like literally hundreds or thousands of dollars - crammed into literal garbage and presented that way, would be pretty fucking offensive. Like if Bill Gates rolled up and handed me a trash bag full of used kleenex, shitty toilet paper, and $50,000 worth of crumpled up 100s, then I'd take it as gratefully as I could, put some gloves on, clean the shit off as best I could, then waddle into my bank with my tail between my legs to deposit it... but there would be no illusion that Gates was doing that out of some kind of act of kindness - that's 'fuck you!' money that he would know that peasants like me can't afford to refuse on principle.

Anyway, if the context was that of a gift, cash stuffed into a potato chip wrapper would be a similar type of 'fuck you!'

If it was a bribe, that type of presentation would make a ton more sense, with neither party giving a shit about culture. (I guess the Gates cash-covered-in-shit analogy won't have made much sense as a bribe either, so probably don't take that analogy too literal lol).

...if even my dumb ass can sniff out that bullshit, I have haunch their cover story isn't going to hold up to scrutiny from pretty well anyone.

[–] teft@piefed.social 3 points 1 month ago

It’s funny because as someone who lives in a foreign country that speaks a different language i also use the “no hablo español” when i don’t want to explain something (not bribery just like directions on the street). People will excuse a lot of shit if they think you don’t understand the language or culture.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 24 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

This is giving Herr’s sour cream and onion chips a bad name

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

yum yum yumchuurughHGHGSHHGHHH chokes, dies

[–] bobs_monkey@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

"Something tastes like cocaine"

[–] KnightontheSun@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You know, if there’s one thing I really like about cocaine it’s the smell.

[–] bobs_monkey@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 month ago

It's quite nice on a winter evening around 3:46 AM. Not that I'd know or anything.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] bobs_monkey@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago

You can rub some on your gums

[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago

Once a crook, always a crook. I guess the only option now is to ~~vote for Mamdani~~ write in a candidate!

  • Democratic leadership
[–] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

All that AND a bag of chips?

[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

👏...👏...👏...

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 12 points 1 month ago

Before entering a nearby subway station, Honan opened the bag and discovered a red envelope inside stuffed with cash, at least one $100 bill and several $20 bills.

What a crappy, low-ball bribe.

[–] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 12 points 1 month ago (2 children)

In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.

Any Chinese Lemmy users here to weigh in?

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 21 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

im asian, usually its a family member giving the "red envelope" to the related(usually cousins/ or sisters/brother's family). at least i never seen it given to a stranger, which is pretty bizarre. and there usually other traditions, like married can give it to the unmarried members, but that rule is loose. im sure other people can chime in too. and certaintly not in a POTATO CHIP bag.

[–] EtherWhack@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

and certaintly not in a POTATO CHIP bag.

This is one of the biggest things. If it was just the red envelope, her story would seem more believable. Though again, they also tend to be handed out for more substantial occasions than whatever that was.

I could see them being handed out after, to the people who helped with a major political win in regards to asain culture, but they would likely be a lot 'lighter', as it would be more about the symbolism than anything else. Like sharing your good fortune with others close to you

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago

yea asian/chinese people to hand random stack of cash, eric adams bieng ignorant.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Maybe they're trendsetters trying to change things a bit.

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

it’s also usually given during Chinese New Year (not to be confused with the local currency ChiNese Yuan)

[–] apftwb@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Or Central New York which could have been relevant if this wasn't a mayoral election.

[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 9 points 1 month ago

If anyone else needs to get rid of their empty chip bags, I only charge $99.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 4 points 1 month ago

is he light yagami now.

[–] Taleya@aussie.zone 4 points 1 month ago

In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.

However, the scenario we have seen played out here is known as a filthy little bribe

[–] SeeMarkFly@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago

So THAT'S where I left my $100 dollar bill!

[–] sirico@feddit.uk 3 points 1 month ago

Anyone from the UK thinking yeah we had that too once

[–] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

Little bit o’ light bribery, petty scum baggery for the ol’ resume.

[–] axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe 1 points 1 month ago

should've included the chips smh