Ms. Lee told Ms. Hou's attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, that she didn't make the contributions in her own name because, "I was concerned about the perception" of an employee of the comptroller's office contributing to her boss's political campaign.
Later, when questioned by defense attorneys, Ms. Lee said she ultimately never reimbursed anyone and never told Ms. Hou or other Liu campaign workers about her offers.
According to prosecutors, Ms. Lee is expected to testify that she solicited straw donors in July 2011 at around the same time that Ms. Hou allegedly engaged in the same conduct.