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A Chinese national has been charged for allegedly being an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China while serving as a campaign manager for a politician in a California election, the Justice Department said Thursday.

Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, allegedly was an illegal agent while working as a campaign manager for a politician who was elected to a city council in Southern California in 2022, according to The Associated Press.

His arrest comes at a time where there are more concerns about China attempting to influence elections by helping elect local politicians who are sympathetic to Chinese causes. 

Sun has also been charged for conspiring with another man who last month was also arrested for allegedly acting as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China.

Sun was allegedly in communication with the man Chen Jun while he was trying to get the California politician elected to the city council. Jun reportedly discussed with the Chinese government how the PRC could influence local elections on the issue of Taiwan. 

If convicted, Sun will face up to 10 years in prison, according to the department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ryan and Amanda Elbogen for the Central District of California will be prosecuting the case.