A political operative from Southern California, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, has been sentenced to four years in federal prison after admitting to secretly working for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) while operating in the United States. Federal authorities said the case highlights serious concerns about covert foreign influence and the misuse of political access at the local level.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner after Sun’s guilty plea to acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. He carried out tasks for Chinese officials without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, as required under federal law. Authorities said his activities spanned years and included political organizing, information gathering, surveillance, and spreading state-backed messages.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda B. Elbogen and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle handling the case.
Covert Foreign Activity in the U.S.
Court records show that from at least 2022 through January 2024, Sun knowingly acted as a PRC agent while in the United States. He coordinated with U.S.-based individuals to advance Chinese government interests, including political influence and propaganda, without registering as a foreign agent—a legal requirement.
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Federal authorities said Sun’s work was covert and distorted public discourse. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg described it as a “brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty. FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky noted that Sun attempted to undermine American political processes while serving as a campaign advisor, emphasizing the serious threat posed by foreign-directed operations.
Sun received specific instructions from Chinese officials to orchestrate political activities, monitor dissident groups, and promote pro-PRC content online. These actions were carried out secretly, giving him influence in local politics while serving the interests of a foreign government.
Local Politics, Media Influence, and Surveillance
Sun advised a political candidate in Southern California, referred to in court filings as “Individual 1,” who later won a city council seat in November 2022. Prosecutors said Sun organized a team to help the candidate win the election while simultaneously promoting PRC interests.
In addition to political organizing, Sun helped operate a local Chinese American news website. Court documents indicate that the platform was used to publish content in line with directives from Chinese officials, spreading pro-PRC propaganda to the local community.
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Sun’s covert activities also included surveillance of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen during her April 2023 visit to Southern California. He sent real-time updates and photographs of protesters to officials at the PRC Consulate in Los Angeles and sought approval before publishing articles about the visit. The FBI emphasized that Sun’s actions exploited his access in ways that misrepresented local political authority and undermined public trust.
Funding Requests and Intelligence Connections
Sun drafted reports for Chinese officials detailing his activities, including his past service in the People’s Liberation Army and efforts to counter groups viewed as hostile to China, such as Taiwan independence supporters, Tibetan activists, Xinjiang advocates, and Falun Gong practitioners. In one report, Sun requested $80,000 from PRC officials to fund a pro-China demonstration during the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C.
Court filings also described Sun’s long-standing relationship with John Chen, a/k/a “Chen Jun,” a senior figure in Chinese intelligence. Sun served as Chen’s right-hand man in the United States for decades. Chen was previously sentenced in November 2024 to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the PRC and conspiracy to bribe a public official.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stressed that the case demonstrates the persistent efforts of PRC intelligence operations and the U.S. commitment to protecting democratic processes and political institutions. Sun’s sentencing to 48 months in federal prison reflects the seriousness of covert foreign activity within the United States.