A Chino Hills, California A man has been arrested on charges of acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China while also serving as campaign manager for a local politician elected to office in 2022.
US Ministry of Justice The Justice Department said Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, was arrested Thursday and charged with acting as an illegal agent of China as well as conspiring with another man, Chen Jun, who was sentenced to prison in November for bribery and also acting as an illegal agent. to the Chinese government.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Tuesday, Sun served as campaign manager for an unnamed Southern California politician who is identified only as “Individual 1” in the complaint. Individual 1 was ultimately elected to a city council position in a city not named in the complaint, in 2022.
Sun and Chen reached out during the campaign to help get the individual elected.
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In November, Chen Jun, with whom Yaoning “Mike” Sun allegedly conspired, was sentenced to prison on charges of bribery and acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government. (Ministry of Justice)
The Justice Department said Chen spoke with Chinese government officials about how China “influences” domestic American politicians, especially on the issue of Taiwan.
Shortly after Individual No. 1 was elected to office in November 2022, Chen allegedly asked Sun to prepare a report on the election. The report was sent to Chinese government officials, who the complaint says responded positively and expressed their thanks.
Nearly a month after the individual was elected, Chen also prepared lunch with Sun and others at a Rowland Heights restaurant. The Justice Department said Chen described the gathering to a PRC official as a “luncheon for core members.” Person No. 1 was reportedly not present at the luncheon, although Chen told Chinese government officials that this person was part of “our assigned core team.”
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Chen told the PRC official that the lunch was “successful,” adding that attendees agreed to establish an “Association for the Promotion of US-China Friendship.”
In early 2023, Chen allegedly ordered Sun to write another report on him Officials of the People's Republic of China About the two “cultivation and assistance” in one’s success 1.
While the second report was being finalized in February 2023, Sun sent Chen a proposal to fight “anti-China forces” by marching in a US Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C., the complaint said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks after joining a group photo during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, November 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)
While the two men continued their efforts in the United States, Sun allegedly asked the People's Republic of China to provide them with an $80,000 budget.
The complaint alleges that Chen and Sun talked about a planned trip to China to meet with “leadership.” It also alleges that Chen directed Sun to arrange a meeting with the Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles. In August 2023, Sun and Individual 1 eventually traveled to China, the complaint alleges.
Sun could face up to 10 years in prison Acting as an illegal agent to a foreign government if convicted.
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He also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to commit a crime against the United States
