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Thursday, February 12-February 18, 2026
Foreign agent for China linked to Arcadia councilwoman gets prison sentence By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
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political operative for China who was a chief adviser to Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang received a four-year prison sentence Monday. Yaoning Sun, 65, of Chino Hills, pleaded guilty Oct. 3 to one federal count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign power. "Beginning in at least 2022, and continuing through at least January 2024 ... defendant knowingly acted in the United States as an agent of a foreign government, namely, the People’s Republic of China, and officials of that government, without prior notification to the Attorney General of the United States, as required by law," according to Sun's plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court. Sun, who also uses the first name Mike, worked as the treasurer for Wang, who federal prosecutors refer to only as an unnamed Southern California politician running for city council of a city in Los Angeles County. The candidate was elected in November 2022, according to court documents, coinciding with Wang's victorious campaign. “The investigation natu-
Mayor Eileen Wang. | Photo courtesy of the city of Arcadia
rally raises concerns and questions about the extent of Sun’s involvement locally and throughout the region," Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said in a statement Dec. 23. "At this time, Sun’s involvement is considered an isolated incident, with no known association with other members of the Arcadia City Council. Importantly, we can confirm that Sun had no
involvement whatsoever with city of Arcadia business or decision-making. On Feb. 3 Wang was sworn in as mayor, a mostly honorary title that rotates among council members every nine months. She did not mention Sun's conviction during remarks that followed her mayoral oath of office but See China agent Page 31
did assert the importance of clear allegiances. "When I speak about loving this country, when I speak about loyalty, it is not just words. It is personal," Wang said after the swearingin. "As Americans — and especially as elected officials — our loyalty must always be clear to this country, to our Constitution, to our residents and to no one else. I firmly oppose any attempts by any foreign governments to influence or interfere with our public institutions or local decisions. Arcadia's future must be decided by Arcadia residents." Outgoing Mayor Sharon Kwan told HeySoCal.com she was "deeply unsettled" by the "tone of unquestioning praise and enthusiasm" for the new mayor from people in attendance at the Feb. 3 City Council meeting, including council members David Fu, Dr. Michael Cao and newly sworn-in Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cheng. At the public meeting, however, Kwan echoed the positivity. "What is said has been said, I echo their words," Kwan remarked Feb. 3.
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Nithya Raman challenges Karen Bass in LA mayor's race By Jose Herrera, City News Service
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os Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman entered the race for mayor Saturday, challenging incumbent and political ally Karen Bass hours before the noon deadline for candidates to file paperwork for the June 2 primary. During a morning news conference, Raman said she and Bass share many values about what matters for the city, but that Los Angeles faces issues with affordability and housing, among other things, that she hopes to change. "I do feel like Angelenos have really given us a lot of faith. Voted for more taxes to address affordable housing issues, to address homelessness, to address some of our biggest crises, and if we don't show results to them, I think we will lose them," Raman said. "We are making decisions about our budget that are based on political calculations, as opposed to what is best for Angelenos and what is best for Los Angeles' middle class," Raman added. "I think we can change." Raman said she was "afraid that the city is no longer a place of opportunity." "Los Angeles is at a See Mayor's race Page 15
breaking point, and people feel it in the most basic ways," she said. "Housing costs are forcing families out of the city. A homelessness system that lacks clear ownership and accountability is leaving people stuck in crisis, while the city cycles from emergency to emergency. Too many people don't feel safe walking down their own blocks at night even as crime comes down, because broken street lights stay broken, and the city can't seem to manage the basics." Raman described her relationship with Bass as "strong and close," built over the last few years. She said she spoke with Bass about her mayoral run, but did not provide further details, saying that she "prefers to maintain that privacy right now." Raman acknowledged that her decision to run came late, and will likely impact her prospects for endorsements from labor groups, political organizations and others. "It's very late in the process to get in the game. I was an outsider when I first ran, and I think I'll be an outsider in this race, and I'm OK with that," she said. Bass admitted she didn't