Embattled city Comptroller John Liu’s former press secretary is poised to testify that she sought illegal “straw donations” for his mayoral campaign from her family and friends, prosecutors revealed yesterday.
Sharon Lee would be forced to admit the alleged wrongdoing under terms of an “immunity order” that would keep her safe from criminal charges, Manhattan federal prosecutor Justin Anderson said in court.
Lee, since promoted to a higher post in the comptroller’s office, allegedly promised to reimburse donations to Liu’s campaign.
Anderson said Lee made the offers during phone calls that “took place either inside or just outside” the Queens apartment of Jia “Jenny” Hou, Liu’s campaign treasurer at the time.
Hou and a key Liu fund-raiser, Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan, face trial next week on charges that they schemed to defraud the city of campaign matching contributions by funneling illegal donations into Liu’s war chest.
Defense lawyer Sheryl Reich said that while one person Lee contacted made a donation, there was no reimbursement and Lee “never discussed this with Ms. Hou.”
Lee’s lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Liu’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, insisted Liu “knew nothing” about Lee’s actions.
With David Seifman