Southern California mayor charged with acting as an agent for China
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- Eileen Wang, mayor of Arcadia, California, has been charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent for the Chinese government and has resigned from her position, agreeing to plead guilty to one count of illegal foreign agency.
- Wang, along with Yaoning “Mike” Sun, operated a website targeting the Chinese American community that promoted propaganda favorable to China, following directives from Chinese government operatives between 2020 and 2022.
- Evidence includes Wang editing and posting articles provided by Chinese officials, including one denying genocide claims in Xinjiang, and exchanging messages expressing gratitude to Chinese leaders.
- Arcadia city officials confirmed that Wang's misconduct occurred before she took office in December 2022, and no city resources or decision-making were compromised; the city will appoint a new mayor soon.
- Wang faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and her co-conspirators, including Sun and John Chen, have already been sentenced for related charges involving acting as unregistered foreign agents and bribery.