FBI Raids 4 Southern California Officials, Media Sites in Expanding China Influence Probe
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 28
FBI Raids 4 Southern California Officials, Media Sites in Expanding China Influence Probe
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 28
Summary
FBI agents searched properties tied to San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner, attorney Frank Lizarraga and EDI Media chief James Su, while also raiding a 21,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion and obtaining airport records.
No arrests were made, and sealed warrants leave unclear who is the formal target, but law enforcement sources said the searches are tied to widening public-corruption and foreign-influence investigations in Southern California.
Ontario City Hall received a subpoena, and Ontario International Airport was served a related warrant; Wapner and Hagman both sit on the airport authority, where Wapner is president.
The raids follow other China-linked federal cases in the region, including former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang's guilty plea in May and an earlier Lancaster probe seeking communications with BYD.
EDI Media had to register as a foreign agent in 2022 after printing a newspaper deemed a Chinese government foreign mission, underscoring broader U.S. concerns about Beijing cultivating local political influence.