Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 65, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese Communist Party from 2022 to 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner handed down the sentence Monday. Prosecutors said Sun received direction from Chinese government officials, disseminated CCP propaganda, and surveilled groups in the United States that Beijing viewed as hostile to its interests.

“For years, Sun received and executed taskings from Chinese government officials, distorted our public discourse by disseminating Chinese propaganda, and surveilled groups in the United States that China viewed as threatening its interests,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg. “His conduct represents a brazen violation of our national sovereignty.”

According to court filings, Sun submitted reports to Chinese officials detailing efforts to counter Falun Gong practitioners and supporters of Taiwanese independence. He also referenced helping to elect a “like-minded individual” to political office in Southern California, describing the person as a “new political star.”

Although the individual was not named in court documents, the Los Angeles Times and Pasadena Star-News reported that the reference was to Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, a Democrat. Campaign records listed Sun as Wang’s campaign treasurer. Wang has not been charged with a crime and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The sentencing memo stated that Sun worked as a campaign adviser for the city council candidate in 2022 and reported his political activities back to Chinese officials. In one communication, he claimed to have “orchestrated and organized” efforts to secure the election victory.

Investigators also said Sun spied on then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during her April 2023 visit to the United States and launched a website targeting the local Chinese-American community at the direction of officials from the People’s Republic of China consulate.

Prosecutors said Sun worked with John Chen, identified as a high-level member of China’s intelligence apparatus, who previously pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent tied to efforts to repress U.S.-based Falun Gong practitioners.

The House Select Committee on China said the case underscores concerns about Beijing’s efforts to influence American political systems, including local elections.

The sentence marks another federal prosecution tied to foreign interference activities linked to the Chinese Communist Party operating inside the United States.