Way back in 2001, John Liu cared about avoiding ties to convicted white-collar criminals — especially the ones who already had clear and sketchy ties to his family. That year, he turned down a contribution to his City Council campaign from Lung Fong Chen, who just so happened to be Liu’s father’s business partner, as well as his dad’s partner in crime: The pair had just been convicted of committing bank fraud together. Flash-forward a few years, and Liu decided to let bygones be bygones. According to the Post, Liu accepted an $800 contribution from Chen for his 2013 coffers, and has no intention of returning it. It’s not illegal — Chen served his time in jail years ago, as Liu’s campaign spokesman pointed out — but it doesn’t look great, to say the least. Especially in light of the many other financial improprieties plaguing the Liu campaign, the last thing Liu needs is a reminder of his father’s business dealings that gets people thinking, “Like father, like son.”
