Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 65, was sentenced on February 10 to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to acting as an agent of the People’s Republic of China without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, a violation of federal law. Sun’s covert activities, according to prosecutors, included disseminating pro-Beijing propaganda, surveilling groups viewed as adversarial to China, and monitoring Taiwan’s president during a 2023 visit to Southern California.

Sun had personal and political ties in Arcadia, California, serving as a campaign advisor and treasurer for Mayor Wang during her 2022 City Council campaign. At the time, Wang publicly referred to Sun as her fiancé, saying, “To my fiancé, Mike Sun, who walked streets with me every single day, who is a real leader of me.” Following Sun’s indictment, Wang distanced herself from the claim and denied any engagement.

At the first Arcadia City Council meeting after Sun’s sentencing, Mayor Wang declined to answer questions about her former relationship or his conviction. She has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Sun’s activities.

Federal officials emphasized the national security threat posed by Sun’s actions. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said Sun “received and executed taskings from Chinese government officials, distorted our public discourse, and surveilled groups in the United States that China viewed as threatening its interests.” FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky added, “When Americans vote for elected officials, they expect them to represent the interests of their constituents — not those of a foreign adversary like the Chinese government.”

Sun’s prosecution underscores ongoing U.S. counterintelligence efforts to prevent covert foreign influence in domestic politics and enforce federal registration requirements for agents acting on behalf of foreign governments.