Fri Dec 20 02:12:48 UTC 2024: ## Chinese National Arrested for Acting as Illegal Agent in California Local Election

**Washington, D.C. – December 20, 2024** – A 64-year-old Chinese national, Yaoning Mike Sun, was arrested Thursday on charges of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. Sun served as the campaign manager for an unnamed politician elected to a Southern California city council in 2022. The arrest comes amidst growing concerns about Chinese influence in U.S. local elections.

According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Sun conspired with Chen Jun, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison last month for similar offenses. Sun allegedly wrote reports for Chinese officials detailing how they helped elect the council member, and later requested $80,000 for further pro-Beijing activities. The documents also reveal discussions about leveraging the council member’s connections with mainstream American politicians and arranging a meeting with a top Chinese diplomat.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada described the case as a disturbing example of China’s attempts to influence U.S. policy by supporting politicians friendly to Beijing. The complaint suggests Sun, a former member of the Chinese military and director of a media outlet co-owned with the council member, was ideologically motivated. While the council member, identified as Eileen Wang in campaign filings, has not yet commented, investigations are ongoing. This arrest follows the September indictment of a former aide to New York governors on similar charges.

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