The mayor of Arcadia, Eileen Wang, resigned from office on May 11, 2026, after agreeing to plead guilty to a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government.
According to the US Department of Justice, Wang, 58, faces a single felony count for operating in the United States on behalf of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Covert media operation
Federal prosecutors allege that between late 2020 and the end of 2022, Wang was involved in a covert influence operation tied to Beijing. At the center of the case is a Chinese-language news platform, US News Center, which Wang allegedly operated under the direction of Chinese government officials.
Authorities say the platform was used to disseminate pro-Beijing narratives targeting Chinese-speaking communities in the United States. This included content denying allegations of human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, where international observers have accused authorities of systemic repression of Uyghur Muslims.
Court documents also reveal direct coordination between Wang and Chinese officials. In one exchange cited by prosecutors, Wang reportedly relayed instructions by stating, “This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to send,” indicating editorial control from Beijing.
Network of co-conspirators
The case also implicates two individuals previously convicted in connection with the same scheme.
Yaoning “Mike” Sun, Wang’s former fiancé and her 2022 campaign treasurer, pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to four years in prison in February 2026.
John Chen, described by prosecutors as a Chinese intelligence intermediary, acted as a liaison between US-based operatives and Chinese officials. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2024.
Authorities say the trio worked together to facilitate messaging aligned with Chinese government interests.
Local impact and response
Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022 and became mayor in February 2026 under the city’s rotating leadership system.
Following her resignation, Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto stated that an internal review found no evidence that Wang’s activities extended into her official duties. The review concluded that her conduct ended before she assumed public office and did not involve city resources, staff, or finances.
Wang’s legal team has emphasized that her actions were carried out in a personal capacity prior to holding elected office. In a public statement, her attorneys said she has accepted responsibility and issued an apology.
Her formal plea is expected to be entered in federal court in the coming weeks.
