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Embattled city Comptroller John Liu sprang to the defense of his indicted campaign treasurer and defiantly insisted his staff did everything it could to make sure donations were legal, despite federal charges against the treasurer and a key fund-raiser.
“I don’t believe it’s our campaign’s responsibility or any campaign’s responsibility to verify the home address, to verify the work address, to essentially run a credit check on any donor,” Liu said in response to allegations that his campaign made use of straw donors who funneled illegal contributions from wealthy individuals into the campaign. “Do we operate differently than other campaigns? Absolutely not.”
In an interview with The Associated Press, the comptroller described how he managed his campaign staff, including the 25-year-old treasurer, Jia “Jenny” Hou, who could face up to 60 years in prison on charges of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Liu donor Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan also has been charged, with illegal fund-raising.
Liu said that he was aware of a history of fundraising improprieties in the city’s Asian-American community and that he took the necessary steps to educate his donors and prevent problems. He insisted that ultimately, his campaign was just as careful as those of other candidates.
Liu has previously stopped short of declaring the innocence of his arrested treasurer, but in the interview Monday, he came forcefully to her defense.
“My campaign has and continues to act appropriately. We follow the rules,” he said. “I believe in my campaign treasurer, and I believe in my campaign staff.”
While he has said he takes responsibility for the actions of his staff, Liu insisted he had “no dealings” with the campaign’s compliance with election law.
Eric Friedman, a spokesman for the city’s Campaign Finance Board, said that while campaigns are not responsible for performing background checks, that doesn’t absolve them of responsibility for their donors’ actions.
“It’s the campaign’s responsibility to make sure it’s following the law. Period,” he said.
Liu acknowledged it’s unlikely Hou is the feds’ primary target.
“I don’t think it’s Jenny they’re after,” he said.
“I’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve got a clear conscience.”