Former Arcadia Mayor Pleads Guilty to Charges of Acting as an Illegal Agent for China

The recently resigned mayor of Arcadia, California, is set to plead guilty to allegations of serving as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China. Federal prosecutors claim she secretly promoted pro-China narratives in the U.S. even before she took office.

Eileen Wang, who was the mayor, has agreed to a guilty plea for a felony charge. The Department of Justice indicated she could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, though the exact sentence will be decided by a federal judge.

According to federal prosecutors, Wang admitted to operating “under the direction and control” of Chinese officials from at least 2020 until 2022. It’s been revealed that she coordinated with individuals in the U.S. to disseminate messages favorable to China, all without notifying the U.S. attorney general, which is a legal requirement. This took place prior to her swearing-in as a City Council member in December 2022.

Officials in Arcadia stated that the situation pertained to Wang’s personal actions and did not have implications for city operations.

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg emphasized the importance of integrity among public officials, stating, “Individuals elected to public office in the United States should act only on behalf of the American people they represent.”

Prosecutors revealed that Wang collaborated with a convicted Chinese agent, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence. They reportedly operated a website that masqueraded as a local Chinese-American news organization, which prosecutors labeled a propaganda vehicle for the Chinese Communist Party.

In one notable instance, a Chinese official forwarded Wang a pre-written denial of accounts regarding forced labor and genocide in Xinjiang. Wang then quickly posted this online and returned the link, receiving a prompt acknowledgment in return.

There were also instances where Wang edited materials at the request of the Chinese government and promoted them significantly, with one post garnering over 15,000 views. In response, she thanked them for their leadership.

Further indications of her involvement were noted, with Wang also reaching out to John Chen, another convicted operative connected to Chinese intelligence. She sought to distribute messages aligning with directives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri expressed the seriousness of the situation, saying, “Individuals in our country who secretly follow orders from foreign governments undermine our democracy.” He added that this plea agreement represents a significant effort to safeguard the country against foreign influence.

Interestingly, despite her covert associations, Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022 and subsequently became mayor through the council’s rotation system. The actions described by prosecutors occurred prior to her tenure.

Wang’s plea agreement reveals that she failed to disclose her work for the Chinese government to federal authorities or to the audience of her website. She is anticipated to formally plead guilty in federal court, though sentencing has not yet occurred. Notably, if she is not a U.S. citizen, her felony conviction could result in deportation and citizenship challenges.

Wang has already agreed to resign from her public office and is expected to submit her formal guilty plea soon, as the FBI continues its investigation.

City officials have reiterated that the allegations primarily concern Wang’s personal conduct and have assured the public that no city resources or decision-making were influenced. They confirmed there is no active inquiry regarding other council members, and normal municipal operations continue.