Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, pleaded guilty on May 29, 2026, to one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of China. Her sentencing is scheduled for October 6, and she remains free on bond.
The felony carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Background and Role in Arcadia
Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022, where the mayoral position rotates among the five council members. From late 2020 through 2022, Wang allegedly worked under the direction of Chinese government officials alongside Yaoning “Mike” Sun of Chino Hills to promote Chinese regime interests in the United States.
Pro-China Propaganda Activities
Federal prosecutors said Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Center, which presented itself as a news outlet for the local Chinese American community.
Prosecutors allege Chinese officials provided pre-written articles, including material disputing accusations of genocide and forced labor in Xinjiang, which Wang posted online.
She also reportedly edited content at officials’ request and shared screenshots of article views with them, receiving positive feedback.
Connections to Chinese Intelligence
Court documents indicate that Wang communicated with John Chen, a high-level member of Chinese intelligence who previously pleaded guilty in a separate federal case. Chen had attended Chinese Communist Party events and met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
DOJ Statement on Public Trust
Wang admitted she never notified the U.S. attorney general that she was acting as an agent of a foreign government. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said, “Individuals elected to public office in the United States should act only for the people of the United States that they represent.
It is deeply concerning that someone who previously received and executed directives from PRC government officials is now in a position of public trust.”
