Trending Now - Southern California Mayor Steps Down, Admits Ties to China

WHO:

CNN - Eileen Wang, the mayor of Arcadia, Southern California.

CNN - Yaoning “Mike” Sun, a colleague of Wang, who is serving a four-year sentence after pleading guilty to the same charge.

CNN - John Chen, who also pleaded guilty to being an agent for the Chinese government.

WHAT:

CNN - Eileen Wang was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

CNN - Wang's plea agreement includes her admission of working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

CNN - Wang and Sun operated the news website U.S. News Center, aimed at the Chinese American community, and were instructed by Chinese government officials to post pro-PRC content on it.

CNN - Wang shared a link to a letter from the consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles that refuted reports of Uyghur persecution within minutes of receiving it.

CNN - Wang's relationship with Sun ended in spring 2024.

CNN - Wang's attorneys stated, “Her love and devotion for the Arcadia community have not changed and did not waver.”

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Arcadia's manager, Dominic Lazzaretto, stated that the investigation concerns individual conduct, and the charges are for conduct that ceased after Wang was sworn into office in December 2022.

USA Today - The city will select a new mayor at its next City Council meeting.

USA Today - Eileen Wang was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Wang's plea agreement includes her admission of working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Site, which purported to serve the area's Chinese American community, from late 2020 to 2022.

USA Today - In June 2021, a Chinese government official contacted Wang in a group chat with pre-written articles, including one published in the Los Angeles Times that rejected claims of genocide in Xinjiang.

USA Today - Wang made edits to the article at the request of a Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - The official responded to Wang's message with "Great!" and Wang replied, "Thank you leader."

USA Today - John Chen, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Eileen Wang was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

USA Today - Wang admitted to working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - In August 2021, Wang made edits to an article at the request of a Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - The official responded to Wang's message with "Great!" and Wang replied, "Thank you leader."

CNN - Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government.

CNN - Wang was charged with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

CNN - The maximum sentence for Wang's charge is 10 years in federal prison.

CNN - Wang and Sun operated the news website U.S. News Center, promoting pro-PRC propaganda in the U.S.

CNN - Wang shared a link to a letter published in the Los Angeles Times that refuted reports of persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

USA Today - Eileen Wang was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Wang's plea agreement includes her admission of working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Site, which purported to serve the area's Chinese American community, from late 2020 to 2022.

USA Today - Wang made edits to the article at the request of a Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - The official responded to Wang's message with "Great!" and Wang replied, "Thank you leader."

USA Today - Wang's attorneys stated, “She apologizes and is sorry for the mistakes she has made in her personal life.”

USA Today - Wang admitted to working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - In August 2021, Wang made edits to an article at the request of a Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - The official responded to Wang's message with "Great!" and Wang replied, "Thank you leader."

USA Today - John Chen, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Eileen Wang was charged with operating as an illegal foreign agent on behalf of the Chinese government and resigned from her post, authorities announced.

USA Today - Wang agreed to plead guilty to one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

USA Today - Wang's plea agreement includes her admission of working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Site, which purported to serve the area's Chinese American community, from late 2020 to 2022.

USA Today - Wang was expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks.

USA Today - Eileen Wang, 58, agreed to plead guilty to one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government, as announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

USA Today - Wang was charged in April with the illegal agent count, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

USA Today - Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Site, which purported to serve the area's Chinese American community, from late 2020 to 2022.

USA Today - Wang made edits to the article at the request of the Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - Wang's attorneys stated, “She apologizes and is sorry for the mistakes she has made in her personal life.”

USA Today - Eileen Wang was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

USA Today - Wang admitted to working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote "propaganda" favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States.

USA Today - In August 2021, Wang made edits to an article at the request of a Chinese official and sent a link along with a screenshot showing it had been viewed more than 15,000 times.

USA Today - The official responded to Wang's message with "Great!" and Wang replied, "Thank you leader."

CNN - Eileen Wang resigned from her position as mayor of Arcadia.

CNN - Wang's attorneys stated that she recognizes the seriousness of the charge and accepts responsibility for “past personal mistakes.”

CNN - Wang's attorneys also mentioned, “Her love and devotion for the Arcadia community have not changed and did not waver.”

CNN - Wang and Sun worked on behalf of Chinese government officials from the end of 2020 to 2022.

CNN - Wang shared a link to a letter from the consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles that refuted reports of Uyghur persecution within minutes of receiving it.

CNN - Wang's relationship with Sun ended in spring 2024.

CNN - John Chen, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

CNN - Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government.

CNN - Wang was charged with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

CNN - The maximum sentence for Wang's charge is 10 years in federal prison.

CNN - Wang and Sun operated the news website U.S. News Center, promoting pro-PRC propaganda in the U.S.

CNN - Wang shared a link to a letter published in the Los Angeles Times that refuted reports of persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

WHERE:

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents, with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

CNN - Arcadia, located about 13 miles (21 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.

CNN - The news website U.S. News Center targeted the Chinese American community.

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents, with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

USA Today - Arcadia is a city of about 54,000 residents with a population that is about 59% Asian-American, according to the U.S. Census.

CNN - Arcadia, located about 13 miles (21 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.

CNN - The news website U.S. News Center targeted the Chinese American community.

WHEN:

CNN - Wang was elected to the city council in November 2022.

CNN - Wang was sworn into office in December 2022.

CNN - Sun pleaded guilty to the same charge in October 2025.

CNN - Wang was expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles to plead guilty in the coming weeks.

CNN - Wang was elected to the city council in November 2022.

CNN - Wang was sworn into office in December 2022.

CNN - Sun pleaded guilty to the same charge in October 2025.

CNN - Wang was expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles to plead guilty in the coming weeks.

WHY:

CNN - Wang was accused of doing the bidding of Chinese officials by sharing articles favorable to Beijing without notifying the U.S. government.

HOW:

USA Today - Sun coordinated with Chinese officials to orchestrate a group to help push a candidate he described to Beijing as a “new political star," identified as Wang.

CNN - Wang and Sun were instructed by Chinese government officials to post pro-PRC content on their news website.

USA Today - Sun coordinated with Chinese officials to orchestrate a group to help push a candidate he described to Beijing as a “new political star," identified as Wang.

CNN - Wang and Sun were instructed by Chinese government officials to post pro-PRC content on their news website.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 01:33 UTC)

Eileen Wang has been charged with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, specifically working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote pro-China propaganda within the United States. Their collaboration involved operating a news website called U.S. News Center, which targeted the Chinese American community and was directed by Chinese officials to disseminate favorable content. Wang is expected to appear in federal court soon to plead guilty, while the city of Arcadia will select a new mayor at its next City Council meeting.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, a charge she faced after promoting pro-PRC propaganda through the website U.S. News Center, which targeted the Chinese American community. Wang, who was elected to the city council in November 2022 and sworn in the following month, is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks. The maximum sentence for her charge could reach ten years in federal prison, as she admitted to collaborating with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to share articles favorable to Beijing without notifying U.S. authorities.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 19:30 UTC)

Eileen Wang has been charged with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, specifically working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote propaganda favorable to the People's Republic of China within the United States. She is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles and plead guilty in the coming weeks, with her plea agreement acknowledging her role in editing articles at the request of Chinese officials. Wang and Sun operated a website called U.S. News Site from late 2020 to 2022, which aimed to serve the Chinese American community, and her attorneys have stated that she is sorry for the mistakes she has made in her personal life.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 17:38 UTC)

Eileen Wang has been charged with operating as an illegal foreign agent on behalf of the Chinese government, and she has resigned from her position, according to authorities. Wang has agreed to plead guilty to one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government, admitting to working with Yaoning “Mike” Sun to promote favorable propaganda for the People's Republic of China through a website targeting the Chinese American community. She is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon to formalize her guilty plea in the coming weeks.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 15:52 UTC)

Eileen Wang, a 58-year-old resident of Arcadia, has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, as announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Wang, who operated a website called U.S. News Site aimed at the Chinese American community, was charged in April and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for her actions, which included editing articles at the request of a Chinese official. Her attorneys stated that she apologizes and is sorry for the mistakes she has made in her personal life.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 13:31 UTC)

Eileen Wang has been charged with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, specifically for her work promoting propaganda favorable to the People's Republic of China in the United States. Wang admitted to collaborating with Yaoning “Mike” Sun, who coordinated with Chinese officials to support her as a candidate described to Beijing as a “new political star.” In August 2021, she made edits to an article at the request of a Chinese official and reported that it had garnered over 15,000 views, receiving a positive response from the official.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 07:50 UTC)

Eileen Wang has resigned from her position as mayor of Arcadia, with her attorneys stating that she accepts responsibility for her past personal mistakes. They also emphasized that her love and devotion for the Arcadia community remain unchanged. Additionally, John Chen, who pleaded guilty in connection with the case, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 04:13 UTC)

Eileen Wang, the mayor of Arcadia, has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, facing a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison. Alongside her colleague Yaoning “Mike” Sun, who is currently serving a four-year sentence for the same charge, Wang operated a news website that promoted pro-PRC propaganda targeting the Chinese American community. She is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks to formally enter her plea.