Two former campaign workers of New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate John Liu were found guilty in connection to illegally funneling funds to Liu’s campaign.
Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan, who was a campaign fundraiser and contribution bundler for the Liu campaign, was convicted in Manhattan federal court of conspiring and attempting to commit fraud, according to the U.S District Attorney’s Office.
Jia “Jenny” Hou, who was Liu’s campaign treasurer, was found guilty of attempting to commit fraud, obstructing justice and making false statements.
A jury announced the verdict Thursday during the first full day of deliberations and after a three-week trial.
“As the jury found, Jia Hou and Oliver Pan stuck a knife into the heart of New York City’s campaign finance law by violating the prohibition against illegal campaign contributions, all to corruptly advantage the campaign of a candidate for city-wide office. Cases like this give the people of New York yet another reason to be troubled by the electoral process, and they have a right to demand fair, open, and honest elections untainted by cynical subversion of campaign finance laws,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
“I am deeply saddened by the verdict. I continue to believe in Jenny being a good person and exceptional individual,” Liu said in a statement.” I look forward to this year’s Mayoral election and will continue to ask the voters for their support.”
Liu, who officially announced his Democratic mayoral candidacy on March 17, has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to the case.
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