Arcadia Drafts China-Influence Safeguards After Ex-Councilwoman Faces Up to 10 Years
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 22
Arcadia Drafts China-Influence Safeguards After Ex-Councilwoman Faces Up to 10 Years
2 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 22
Summary
Arcadia officials are preparing new anti-foreign-influence rules for September after former Councilwoman Eileen Wang pleaded guilty and resigned in May over acting as an illegal agent for China.
Proposed safeguards include training officials to spot influence efforts, tighter review of certificates and ceremonial requests, and a formal policy for dealings with foreign governments and officials.
Wang, elected in 2022, admitted working with ex-fiance Yaoning “Mike” Sun on a Chinese-directed website; prosecutors said she posted content for officials and reported audience figures, including one post viewed more than 15,000 times.
Sun has already been sentenced to 4 years in prison, while Wang faces up to 10 years at an October sentencing; Arcadia says no city finances, staff or decision-making were implicated.
The case has split Arcadia—a city of 54,000 where Asians make up about 59% of residents—between demands for tougher scrutiny and fears that Chinese Americans will face broader suspicion as federal probes widen across Southern California.