(Photo: Facebook)

Comptroller John Liu, a likely candidate for mayor this year, has been consistently tagged as "embattled" by media outlets due to the criminal indictments against his campaign treasurer and a top donor. Over time, however, the press has largely dropped the term, even as his campaign treasurer's trial plows ahead.

However, in a brief email to reporters inviting them to attend his birthday party fundraiser tonight, Mr. Liu's campaign embraced the term themselves with a tongue-in-cheek reference to the candidate as "embattled."

"Embattled Comptroller John Liu would like to invite you as a guest to his birthday fundraiser tonight," the invitation read.

This is not the first time Mr. Liu has addressed this "embattled" reputation. In May of last year, he held a campaign event and mocked the moniker while turning the it into a rallying cry.

"I have a new nickname: ‘The embattled comptroller,'” he said. “Well let me say this: I am ready, willing and able to go into battle for what I think is right for the City of New York."

Tonight's fundraiser for Mr. Liu will take place at Jing Fong dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.