Scrutiny has emerged surrounding the relationship between a Southern California politician and her business partner, a man recently charged with acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Sun has allegedly worked with a recently sentenced Chinese agent to advance the Chinese regime’s political interests in Los Angeles. Court documents suggest the two have worked closely for years to align U.S. policy interests with Beijing on sensitive issues, with the Chinese agent Chen Jun telling Chinese officials that Sun—and the councilwoman—were part of a “basic team dedicated for us.”
The Charges Against Sun
A criminal complaint filed on Dec. 17 in the Central District of California shows that Sun, 64, served as a campaign manager to an unnamed “local politician.”Furthermore, the complaint revealed that Sun, who previously served in the Chinese army, was in “active communication” with Chen, who pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the CCP-controlled People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The complaint goes on to detail several of Sun's interactions with Chen.
Prosecutors say that Chen instructed Sun to provide him with updates on Wang’s election. Wang was allegedly one of the local American politicians that the Chinese regime could influence, according to the complaint.
Helping Wang win the midterm election, Sun said in a draft report to Chinese officials, was his proudest achievement as someone who “persist[s] in resisting any hostile forces that undermine the friendship of US-China relations, and Chinese secessionist forces,” according to federal prosecutors.
A review of the court records, public information, and business filings reveals the personal connections between Wang and Sun, who have engaged in several ventures together, including a U.S.-based media group, business entities, and multiple pro-Beijing organizations.
One of them is the American Southwest Chamber of Commerce, a Los Angeles nonprofit Wang founded in 2018 that purports to “promote communication of American southwest people of China,” according to business filings.
"Neither Sun nor Chen notified the Attorney General that he was acting, would be acting, or had acted as an agent of a foreign government or official,” the criminal complaint states.
Who Is Eileen Wang?
In November 2022, Wang won her District 3 seat in Arcadia, a city located north of downtown Los Angeles with a significant Chinese population.Her biography on the City of Arcadia website outlines her involvement in various community and city groups such as the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. The biography also details Wang's family background.
A month following Wang's election win, Sun arranged a meeting at a local restaurant. Sun described the meeting as “successful" to CCP officials, as participants agreed to establish a “US-China Friendship Promotional Association."
Based on public campaign records, Sun paid for a portion of Wang’s travel expenses. Wang confirmed her engagement to Sun in a court filing over a 2023 defamation lawsuit with Michelle Wu, a certified public accountant who had served as the president of the chamber. Sun's last known registered address is a home owned by Wang, prosecutors said.
NTD reached out to Wang’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Dominic Lazzaretto, Arcadia's city manager, issued a statement on Dec. 23, acknowledging the charges against Sun but also noted that he has “no affiliation” with the City of Arcadia and that Wang has not been charged in the case.