On Friday, the former mayor of Arcadia, Eileen Wang, admitted guilt in acting as an illegal agent for China. Wang, 56, was charged last month, agreeing to the accusations of promoting Chinese propaganda in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022, as documented in court filings.

Wang, who was elected to the City Council in November 2022, eventually became mayor. The position of mayor rotates among council members. Shortly after her plea deal was revealed earlier this month, Wang resigned as mayor. Both Arcadia officials and Wang’s attorneys confirmed that the activities described by federal authorities took place before she assumed office.

Currently released on a $25,000 bond, Wang appeared in federal court in Los Angeles to enter her plea. She may face up to 10 years in prison during her sentencing on October 6. During the hearing, dressed in a black suit, Wang mostly responded with “yes” and “no” when speaking. U.S. District Judge Wesley Hsu warned that pleading guilty could disqualify Wang from public office. Judge Hsu asked, “Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” to which Wang responded, “Yes.” The court also instructed Wang to avoid any communication with the Chinese government, including with consular officials in the U.S.

“Individuals in our country who covertly do the bidding of foreign governments undermine our democracy,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This plea agreement is the latest success in our determination to defend the homeland.”

Between late 2020 and at least 2022, Wang collaborated with her former fiancé, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, to operate a website named U.S. News Center. This site posed as a news source for Chinese Americans. Both Wang and Sun followed directives from Chinese government representatives, including posting requested articles and providing screenshots with readership data, Wang’s plea agreement states.

Yaoning “Mike” Sun also confessed to allegations of clandestine work for China and received a four-year prison term this year. Wang’s plea agreement mentions that on June 10, 2021, she received instructions from a government official regarding “China’s Stance on the Xinjiang Issue.” This communication included a link to a letter in the Los Angeles Times from the Chinese consul general, defending against allegations of forced labor in the Xinjiang region. The Chinese official’s message refuted genocide and forced labor claims, describing them as defaming China.

Wang quickly posted the article on her website and informed the official with the link. “So fast, thank you everyone,” responded the government official, as shown in court records.

Prosecutors indicated that Wang edited articles as directed by the officials and provided data on the articles’ reach. “Thank you leader,” she wrote on August 20, 2021, acknowledging a post viewed over 15,000 times.

Wang failed to reveal that the Chinese government directed her postings, per court documents. Arcadia Mayor Paul Cheng spoke at the first City Council meeting after Wang’s charges became public.

Outrage grew at city leaders for allowing Wang to remain mayor. On May 19, during the council meeting, residents expressed their anger.

“Man up and apologize to the residents of Arcadia for letting this happen,” said Tom Beck, a former Arcadia mayor, criticizing the council’s lack of action following an FBI raid on Wang’s home.

Residents targeted David Fu, Paul Cheng, and Michael Cao for protecting Wang and dismissed Councilmember Sharon Kwan’s suggestion for a public discussion on the charges.

“How can your judgment be so profoundly compromised?” asked resident Steve Rhee, accusing them of deceiving the public and impacting the Asian community negatively.

City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto clarified that the council lacked authority to remove Wang unless convicted of a crime. He stated the council was unaware of the investigation details.

Council members did not address why they refrained from pressing Wang to resign despite her involvement in the criminal case. Instead, they emphasized unifying a divided city anticipating racist attacks.

“We will not surrender to fear,” stated Cheng, the current mayor. “We will never allow the well in our town to be poisoned by outsiders.”