A Southern California mayor has resigned after federal prosecutors charged her with secretly operating as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, in a case the FBI says highlights Beijing’s growing efforts to influence American politics from the ground up.
Eileen Wang, the now-former mayor of Arcadia, California, agreed to plead guilty to acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the People’s Republic of China, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors say Wang worked directly with Chinese officials between 2020 and 2022 to spread pro-Beijing propaganda inside the United States — all before she was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022.
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a potential $250,000 fine.
Federal officials say Wang admitted she acted “at the direction and control” of Chinese government operatives while coordinating messaging campaigns designed to push Communist Party narratives to American audiences. She allegedly never informed the U.S. Attorney General she was acting on behalf of a foreign government, as required by federal law.
“Individuals elected to public office in the United States should act only for the people of the United States that they represent,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a statement. “It is deeply concerning that someone who previously received and executed directives from PRC government officials is now in a position of public trust at all.”
According to court documents, Wang worked closely with Yaoning “Mike” Sun, a convicted Chinese agent currently serving a four-year federal prison sentence, to operate a website called U.S. News Center. Prosecutors described the outlet as a propaganda platform disguised as a local Chinese-American news site that published material supplied directly by Chinese officials.
In one example cited by prosecutors, a Chinese government official sent Wang a pre-written article denying allegations of forced labor and genocide against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Minutes later, Wang allegedly published the article online and sent the Chinese official a link confirming it was live.
“So fast, thank you everyone,” the official replied.
In another exchange, after editing content at Beijing’s request and bragging about the article receiving more than 15,000 views, Wang allegedly responded: “Thank you leader.”
Prosecutors also say Wang communicated with convicted PRC operative John Chen — an individual tied to China’s intelligence apparatus with connections to Chinese President Xi Jinping — while distributing talking points from Beijing.
“This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to send,” Wang allegedly wrote.
The FBI called the case a stark example of foreign infiltration into American institutions.
“By her own admission, Eileen Wang secretly served the interests of the Chinese government,” FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky said. “Let this serve as a clear warning: individuals who act on behalf of foreign governments to influence our democracy will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice.”
Arcadia officials confirmed Wang resigned from the City Council and vacated her role as mayor following the federal charges. The city emphasized that the alleged conduct occurred before Wang took office and said no city resources or decision-making processes were compromised.
“The allegations at the center of this case, that a foreign government sought to exert influence over a local elected official, are deeply troubling,” the city said in a statement.
The case also revives scrutiny over previous concerns involving Chinese influence operations targeting American politicians.
One of the most high-profile examples involved former California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell, who faced intense criticism after reports revealed he had developed a close relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative known as Fang Fang, or Christine Fang. (RELATED: California Gubernatorial Candidate’s Erotic Poetry Resurfaces)
According to reports first published in 2020, Fang allegedly spent years cultivating relationships with up-and-coming politicians in California, including Swalwell, while working on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security. Swalwell reportedly cut ties with Fang after receiving a defensive briefing from the FBI, though he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and was never accused of criminal activity.
The Wang case comes as U.S. officials increasingly warn that China is attempting to expand its influence inside American political institutions, media organizations, universities, and local governments through covert operations, propaganda campaigns, and recruitment efforts.
Federal prosecutors say Wang is expected to formally enter her guilty plea in the coming weeks. If she is not a U.S. citizen, the conviction could also carry immigration consequences, including possible deportation or denial of future citizenship applications.
“Individuals in our country who covertly do the bidding of foreign governments undermine our democracy,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. “This plea agreement is the latest success in our determination to defend the homeland against China’s efforts to corrupt our institutions.”
Read the full plea agreement below:
READ NEXT: Democrats Reportedly Considered Wiping Out Virginia Supreme Court After Redistricting Ruling
Ladies & Gentlemen:
Good work bringing this lady and her husband to justice regarding operating as propaganda outlets for the PRC, a foreign government. No citizen of this country should operate as an agent of another country without registering as such agent. It’s interesting that the FBI is pursuing these individuals, and have already put a few others in prison for related activities. I applaud their work. As noted, “FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky said. “Let this serve as a clear warning: individuals who act on behalf of foreign governments to influence our democracy will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice.” Agreed. Kudos to our great, honorable FBI!
Now, what about AIPAC, and the total control of our Congress and Executive Branch by a foreign government through an unregistered foreign lobby organization providing money, campaign funds, and political pressure on our elected public officials, as well as the Administrative State, and major universities and cultural institutions, operating as “policy advisors” on behalf of that foreign nation that public perception believes are an ally, but which in 1967 tried to sink an unarmed US Navy vessel, killing 34 and wounding 171 American sailors, and has repeatedly involved us in warfare on their behalf, costing the lives of our troops and negatively affecting our economy?
Is the FBI going to go after those folks? Are they going to finally be required to follow the law and register as a foreign lobby organization? As JFK and RFK intended they do in the Summer of 1963? (Of course, that didn’t turn out so well, did it.)
I wonder; but, I’m not holding my breath.
Michael D Stenberg