DOJ accuses California political operative of being an illegal Chinese agent.
Mike Sun, a Chinese national, is accused of working as an illegal agent for China.
A man from Chino Hills, California was arrested for allegedly working as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) while also serving as a campaign manager for a local politician who won office in 2022.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 64-year-old Yaoning "Mike" Sun was arrested and charged with acting as an illegal agent of China and conspiring with Chen Jun, who was previously sentenced to prison for bribery and also accused of acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.
A criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Tuesday alleges that Sun served as campaign manager for an unnamed Southern California politician who was elected to a city council position in an unnamed city in 2022.
Sun and Chen communicated during the campaign to help get the individual elected.
According to the DOJ, Chen is accused of discussing with Chinese government officials ways to impact local American politicians, particularly regarding Taiwan.
In November 2022, after Individual 1 was elected, Chen reportedly instructed Sun to create a report on the election. The report was then sent to Chinese government officials, who allegedly responded positively and expressed gratitude.
A month after being elected, Chen arranged a lunch with Sun and others at a Rowland Heights restaurant, which he described as a "core member lunch" to a PRC official, though Individual 1 was not present, according to the DOJ.
The US-China Friendship Promotional Association was agreed upon by attendees, as stated by Chen to the PRC official, who deemed the lunch a success.
In early 2023, Chen allegedly instructed Sun to write another report for PRC officials about their collaboration in supporting Individual 1's success.
In February 2023, Sun proposed to Chen that they combat "anti-China forces" by participating in a U.S. Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C., according to the complaint.
Sun allegedly requested $80,000 from the PRC while continuing efforts with the two men in the U.S.
The complaint alleges that Chen and Sun discussed a planned trip to China to meet with "leadership." Additionally, the complaint claims that Sun was instructed by Chen to arrange a meeting with the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles. According to the complaint, Sun and Individual 1 eventually traveled to China in August 2023.
If convicted, Sun could face up to 10 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government.
He could receive a maximum of five years in prison for conspiring to commit a crime against the U.S.
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