Eileen Wang, a former mayor of Arcadia, California, has been charged with acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.According to unsealed federal documents, from late 2020 to at least 2022, Wang collaborated with her former fiancé, Yaoning 'Mike' Sun, running a website called U.S.News Center that targeted Chinese American audiences.

Prosecutors allege that Wang and Sun executed instructions from Chinese officials, posting requested content and reporting back with engagement metrics.

Specific incidents include posting a response to an editorial supporting a boycott of Xinjiang cotton, following guidance from the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles.

Wang resigned from the Arcadia City Council after reaching a deal with federal authorities, and a magistrate judge has set a $25,000 bond, surrendered her passport, and barred her from communicating with Chinese officials.Sun, previously charged with conspiracy and acting as an illegal agent, was sentenced to four years in prison.Wang's attorneys maintain that her actions were personal and unrelated to her public office.She faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years once she enters a guilty plea.Arcadia city officials plan to select a new mayor and mayor pro tem from the remaining council members.