Eileen Wang, the mayor of Arcadia in California, resigned after US authorities accused her of acting as an illegal agent for China.
Federal prosecutors said Wang agreed to plead guilty in the case.
Arcadia is a city in Los Angeles County with a large Asian American population.
Wang had served on the city council since 2022 before becoming mayor earlier this year.
The latest California mayor China charges case has drawn national attention in the United States.
Officials described the allegations as part of a wider foreign influence investigation.
Prosecutors Detail Alleged China Links
According to the US Department of Justice, Wang worked with Yaoning “Mike” Sun between 2020 and 2022.
Prosecutors said both promoted Chinese government interests through a website called U.S. News Center.
Authorities alleged the website targeted Chinese American readers with pro-Beijing content.
Some published articles reportedly denied human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
Federal investigators also claimed Chinese officials directly instructed Wang and her associates on what material to publish.
The Justice Department said those activities violated US foreign agent laws.
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City Officials Respond To Resignation
Arcadia city officials said Wang’s alleged conduct happened before she took office in December 2022.
They also stated that no city money or staff were involved in the investigation.
City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto called the allegations “deeply troubling” in a public statement.
The city council is expected to appoint a new mayor soon.
Wang faces a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years under federal law.
Her legal team released an apology after the plea agreement became public.
Wider Investigation Into Chinese Influence
The case is linked to a broader US investigation into alleged Chinese influence efforts in California.
Several other individuals connected to the case have already pleaded guilty.
Yaoning Sun, Wang’s former fiancé and campaign adviser, received a four-year prison sentence earlier this year.
Another figure, John Chen, was sentenced in a separate but related investigation.
US officials said undisclosed ties between elected representatives and foreign governments raise serious national security concerns.
The FBI continues to investigate related activities linked to the case.
Foreign Influence Cases Raise Political Concerns
The United States has increased scrutiny of foreign influence campaigns in recent years.
Federal agencies have warned about attempts to shape local politics and public opinion.
Analysts say local governments can become targets because they receive less national security oversight.
The Arcadia case has now become one of the most high-profile investigations involving a local elected official.
The growing California mayor China charges controversy is expected to fuel wider debate around foreign political influence in the US.
Further court proceedings are likely in the coming weeks.
