Fri Aug 01 07:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Republican Donor Pleads Guilty in $30 Million Foreign Investor Scheme**
BROOKLYN, NY – Sherry Xue Li, a prominent Republican donor, pleaded guilty Wednesday to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States, following a nearly decade-long scheme that defrauded foreign investors of over $30 million. Li and her business partner, Lianbo Wang, who pleaded guilty to related charges in 2024 and was sentenced to five years in prison, solicited funds from approximately 150 foreign nationals by promising them political access and a path to U.S. citizenship in exchange for investment in an educational institute.
Prosecutors allege that Li used a photograph she took with President Trump and Melania Trump at a $35,000-per-plate Republican fundraising dinner in 2017 to further entice investors. Li allegedly charged a dozen foreign nationals over $90,000 each to attend the dinner alongside her, funneling their money to the fundraiser while using the photo as proof of her political connections to attract even more unsuspecting investors. Foreign nationals are prohibited from making campaign contributions.
According to authorities, Li spent the fraudulently obtained funds on further political contributions and personal expenses. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. condemned Li’s actions, stating she “attempted to corrupt a fundamental institution in this country — fair and transparent elections free from unlawful foreign influence.” The case highlights the dangers of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the lengths to which individuals will go to circumvent campaign finance laws.
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