Arcadia- Eileen Wang has resigned as mayor and City Council member of Arcadia after federal authorities announced criminal charges accusing her of acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China.
In a public statement released Monday, Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said the city understands the serious concerns raised by the allegations, which involve claims that a foreign government sought to influence a local elected official.
“The allegations at the center of this case … are deeply troubling. We take them seriously,” Lazzaretto said in the statement.
City officials emphasized that the investigation concerns Wang’s individual conduct and stated that the alleged activities ceased after she was sworn into office in December 2022. Following an internal review, the city said no municipal finances, staff members, or official decision-making processes were involved.
The statement further noted that all City Council actions are made collectively and that no single council member has unilateral authority. According to the city, no council actions are being reconsidered or invalidated as a result of the case, and the remaining council members are not under investigation.
City operations are continuing without interruption, officials said.
The City Council is expected to appoint a new mayor and mayor pro tem at its next meeting from among the remaining council members. Officials will also begin discussions on how District 3 will be represented until the next election cycle in November 2026.
Federal prosecutors announced the charges against Wang on May 11. Additional details of the case remain under investigation.
