In a case that has sent ripples through Southern California’s political scene, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, a Chinese national legally residing in the United States, has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government while working as a campaign advisor for a local politician. According to court documents and multiple news reports, Sun is expected to formally enter his plea in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, October 27, 2025, under a deal struck with federal prosecutors earlier this month.
The plea agreement, signed by Sun, his attorney Adam Olin, and a federal prosecutor, outlines that Sun could face a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison if the judge accepts the deal. Both the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles and Sun’s lawyer have declined to comment on the arrangement, as reported by the Associated Press and The Asahi Shimbun. The case, filed during President Joe Biden’s administration, comes at a time of heightened concern over foreign interference in U.S. politics—particularly growing fears that Beijing has sought to cultivate a network of operatives to influence local elections and promote Chinese interests at the grassroots level.
At the heart of the case is Sun’s admission that, between 2022 and 2024, he acted on behalf of the People’s Republic of China without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, as required by federal law. Prosecutors allege that Sun received direct instructions from Chinese government officials to post material favorable to Beijing on a website he managed. This site was operated alongside another individual who later ran for, and ultimately won, a local election in 2022. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed in court documents, but public filings list Sun as the campaign treasurer for Arcadia City Council candidate Eileen Wang in February 2022.
Arcadia, a suburban enclave northeast of Los Angeles with a population of about 60,000, is known for its large Asian community. According to city records, Sun’s connection to Arcadia was limited to his campaign role. After Sun’s arrest in December 2024, Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto made it clear that Sun had no official affiliation with the city government. Lazzaretto also confirmed that Wang has not been charged and intends to cooperate fully with federal investigators.
The scope of Sun’s activities, as described in the plea agreement, extended beyond mere public advocacy. The document states, “Defendant and Individual 1 received and executed directives from PRC government officials to post pro-PRC content on the website, and sometimes sought approval from PRC government officials to post other pro-PRC content on the website.” In 2023, Sun reportedly authored a report to Chinese officials requesting funding and assignments for further pro-Beijing activities. This level of coordination, prosecutors argue, crossed the legal line separating free speech from covert foreign influence.
Sun’s case is not an isolated incident. He is accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, another Chinese national, who was sentenced in New York to 20 months in prison for similar illegal agent activity. According to the Associated Press, the two men worked in tandem to further Beijing’s interests in the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has declined to elaborate on the specifics of the conspiracy, but the connection to Chen Jun underscores the broader concern about foreign governments seeking to manipulate American politics at the local level.
Federal law requires anyone acting as an agent of a foreign government to register with the U.S. Attorney General—a safeguard designed to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the political process. Sun’s failure to comply with this requirement forms the crux of the charges against him. As outlined in the plea agreement, Sun acknowledges acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the People’s Republic of China from 2022 to 2024 without the legally mandated notification.
Public reaction to the case has been mixed. Some community members in Arcadia, a city with deep international ties, expressed concern over the potential for foreign interference in their local democracy. Others pointed out that Sun’s actions, while troubling, do not reflect the broader Asian American community’s values or aspirations. City Manager Lazzaretto’s swift statement distancing the city government from Sun’s activities was seen by many as a move to reassure residents and maintain trust in local institutions.
The federal case against Sun has also reignited debate about the vulnerability of U.S. elections to foreign influence. During the Biden administration, officials have repeatedly warned about the risks posed by covert operatives seeking to sway public opinion and install politicians sympathetic to foreign powers. This case, with its focus on a relatively small city council race, highlights how even local elections can become targets for international actors.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, there is no indication that Eileen Wang, the Arcadia City Council candidate associated with Sun, was aware of or complicit in any illegal activity. According to statements from city officials and federal investigators, Wang has not been charged and has pledged her cooperation with authorities. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether any additional individuals will be implicated or if the case will prompt broader reforms in campaign oversight and foreign agent registration laws.
The plea agreement, if accepted by the court, would bring a measure of closure to a saga that has played out quietly but with significant implications for the integrity of American elections. Sun, who has lived legally in the U.S. for several years, now faces the prospect of up to a decade behind bars for his role in furthering the interests of a foreign government on American soil.
For many observers, the case is a stark reminder that the lines between global politics and local governance are increasingly blurred. As communities across the United States grapple with questions of influence, transparency, and accountability, the outcome of Sun’s case will be watched closely—not just in Arcadia, but nationwide.
With the court date looming, all eyes are on Los Angeles to see how the judge will rule and what message this case will send about the consequences of covert foreign interference in American democracy.
