The former mayor of Arcadia, Eileen Wangfaces a federal indictment for acting like illegal agent of Chinawhich caused his resignation from municipal council and could lead to sentence of up to 10 years in prisonaccording to court documents.
The process, which involves pro-China policy promotion activities Through a digital portal managed by Wang, it focuses attention on the foreign influence mechanisms in local administrations USAas reported Los Angeles Times.
Court documents declassified on Monday show that Wang worked with his ex-partner, Yaoning “Mike” Sunin the administration of US News Centeran information portal aimed at Chinese American communityfollowing guidelines from Chinese government officials.
Between 2020 and 2022both disseminated requested articles and reported their reach through screenshots, according to the plea agreement cited by Los Angeles Times.
Furthermore, a federal magistrate of the Central District of California set a bail of USD 25,000arranged the delivery of Wang’s passport and prohibited him from establishing contact with representatives of the Chinese governmentincluding consular officials in the United States.
The most recent report from prosecutors indicates that the Chinese government deployed in the San Gabriel Valleyeastern region of Los Angeles, Californiaa strategy for recruit supporters and strengthen political positions according to your interests.
The court settlement shows that, on June 10, 2021, Wang received a message from a Chinese official titled: “China’s position on the Xinjiang issue,” with a link to a letter published by the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles in response to an editorial in The Los Angeles Times that promoted the boycott of cotton originating from Xinjiang.
The text sent stated: “There is no genocide in Xinjiang; nor is there forced labor in any productive activity, including cotton. Spreading this rumor is to slander China and undermine the stability of Xinjiang,” according to the court file.
Moments after receiving the indication, Wang published the content on its portal and notified the Chinese official of itaccording to the judicial presentation consulted by Los Angeles Times. Prosecutors detail that Wang edited texts at the request of authorities and provided periodic evidence about their impact on the community.
From the defense — made up of Brian A. Sun and Jason Liang— was maintained in a statement to Los Angeles Times that “the conduct described in the record and in the agreement with the government is limited exclusively to Ms. Wang’s private life—that is, a media platform she managed with a person she considered her fiancé—and not to her role as an elected public servant.”
The statement added: “She apologizes and regrets the mistakes made in her personal sphere. Her love and dedication to the Arcadia community have not changed. She asks for understanding and support from the public.”
Yaoning “Mike” Sun, formally charged in December 2024 with conspiracy and acting as an agent of a foreign governmentwas sentenced in February to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty in October, according to court records verified by Los Angeles Times.
The sentencing memorandum states that Sun reported to senior Chinese officials about their work in the countryincluding campaigns against Falun Gong —a spiritual practice banned in China—and against opponents of Chinese independence Taiwan.
Authorities singled out Sun for supervising the visit of the then president of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen to the United States in April 2023.
The bond between Wang and Sun concluded in spring 2024. According to the statement made by the former official to Los Angeles Timesthis breakup did not stop Wang’s cooperation with the investigation opened against him.
The municipal authority of Arcadia reported that next week they will appoint a new mayor and a mayor pro tempore among current council members.
Wang, who emigrated to the United States from China 30 years agohe explained in an interview with Los Angeles Times that his decision to settle in Southern California was motivated by access to a better education for their children and the desire to contribute to the well-being of the community.
his mother practiced traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncturewhile his father was doctor in Sichuan province before joining the faculty of the USCthe University of Southern California.
Wang must appear in court, where, after accepting the charges, The maximum penalty contemplated could reach 10 years in prison.
