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.
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.
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.
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.
On top of that, Hou allegedly withheld incriminating documents after she was slapped with subpoenas by government investigators last year.
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.”
Manhattan FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Janice Fedarcyk added: “In a very real sense, Hou is accused of undermining the democratic process.”
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.
She faces up to 60 years in the slammer if convicted.
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.
Liu’s campaign spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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.”