NEW YORK (AP) – A Chinese billionaire pleaded guilty Monday to federal election crimes, admitting he donated thousands of dollars to political candidates in New York and Rhode Island in someone else’s name.
Chinese film mogul Hui Qing faces up to 27 years in prison on charges including orchestrating a straw donation scheme, immigration fraud and using false identity documents.
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According to prosecutors, Qin began working in December 2021 to “find individuals who would make straw donations of $10,000 or more” to anonymous candidates running for a citywide election in New York City.
At least one individual donated $1,000 to a citywide candidate on Qin’s behalf. The next day, Mr. Hata contacted his co-conspirators and told them he expected to obtain up to $20,000 in straw donations for candidates.
Chinese film mogul Hui Qing has been indicted on charges that could carry a prison sentence of 27 years.
Prosecutors also said he was involved in a similar straw donation scheme to collect donations for a U.S. congressman in New York and a Congressional candidate in Rhode Island.
As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Hata denied ever using a false name in 2019 and also admitted to filing a false application for lawful permanent residence. In fact, prosecutors say he was offered the alias “Mukram Li” by Chinese government officials in 2008.
He used that name to transfer more than $5 million from the Chinese government to a U.S. bank account. Prosecutors say he spent some of that money on a luxury apartment in Manhattan.
Mr. Qin previously appeared on the Forbes Billionaires List, with an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion from his stakes in film and entertainment companies, including Hong Kong-based SMI Culture.
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A call to his attorney was not immediately returned.
“Mr. Qin today pleaded guilty to engaging in a brazen web of deception and spreading lies to federal election and immigration officials and state agencies,” U.S. Attorney Brion Pace said in a statement. “No one is above the law, regardless of wealth or social status.”
