California ex-mayor admits acting as agent of China, US authorities say

Former Arcadia, California mayor Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent of China. From late 2020 to 2022, Wang promoted pro-China propaganda through a website called US News Center without notifying the U.S. government. Prosecutors state she republished content denying allegations of genocide against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Wang resigned as mayor on Monday and faces up to 10 years in prison. Her lawyers stated her actions were related to her personal media platform and not her official duties.

Eileen Wang, the mayor of Arcadia, California, has resigned after being charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent for China. Wang agreed to plead guilty to the felony charge, which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence. The Department of Justice alleges that Wang and another individual, Yaoning Sun, worked with the People's Republic of China to promote its interests through propaganda on a website they operated. While the alleged conduct occurred before Wang was elected mayor in November 2022, federal officials expressed concern about an elected official having undisclosed ties to a foreign government. Arcadia city officials stated that their internal review found no involvement of city finances, staff, or decision-making processes in the alleged actions.

Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government and has resigned from her position. Wang was charged in April with failing to notify the U.S. government about her activities on behalf of Beijing, which included sharing favorable articles. She was elected to the city council in November 2022. City officials stated that no city finances or staff were involved and that the alleged conduct ceased after she took office. Wang faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the charge.