Embattled city Comptroller John Liu’s campaign treasurer was busted today on charges she helped funnel illegal political donations into the Queens Democrat’s war chest.<\/p>\n
Jia “Jenny” Hou conspired to help wealthy Liu backers evade a $4,950 limit on individual contributions by using “straw donors” to pass along their money, according to the feds.<\/p>\n
Hou, 25, was allegedly caught offering to reimburse a crooked donation during a series of computer “instant messages” on July 14, and allegedly instructed campaign volunteers on how to make the contributions look legit.<\/p>\n
She’s also accused of failing to disclose the identities of 59 campaign-contribution “bundlers” until January — despite having used them for more than two years — and then leaving “multiple” names off the list.<\/p>\n
On top of that, Hou allegedly withheld incriminating documents after she was slapped with subpoenas by government investigators last year.<\/p>\n
Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said: “New York’s campaign finance laws are not optional….As today’s charges demonstrate, unlawful campaign conduct will not be tolerated.”<\/p>\n
Manhattan FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Janice Fedarcyk added: “In a very real sense, Hou is accused of undermining the democratic process.”<\/p>\n
Hou, of Queens, is expected to appear later today in Manhattan federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, attempted wire fraud and obstruction of justice.<\/p>\n
She faces up to 60 years in the slammer if convicted.<\/p>\n
The charges against Hou follow last year’s arrest of key Liu fund-raiser Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan, who allegedly got caught in a sting operation in which he used straw donors to plow $16,000 from an undercover agent into Liu’s campaign.<\/p>\n
Liu’s campaign spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
Hou’s defense lawyer, Martin Adelman, said: “She’s a wonderful, idealistic young woman, and I’m confident that when the evidence comes out that’s how she’ll be seen.”<\/p>\n
Read more: http:\/\/www.nypost.com\/p\/news\/local\/liu_campaign_treasurer_busted_in_NOsF2HuLTIcUdoYqrWnugO#ixzz1nl2nLvrt<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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