{"id":21846,"date":"2026-07-30T08:42:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T03:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21846"},"modified":"2026-07-30T08:42:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T03:42:49","slug":"fbi-raids-homes-of-southern-california-officials-in-widening-chinese-influence-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21846","title":{"rendered":"FBI raids homes of Southern California officials in widening Chinese influence probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2Fcomp-fbi.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The FBI launched a sweeping Southern California corruption probe this week, raiding properties tied to three local political figures and a <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/video\/i-exposed-a-secret-chinese-spy-post-in-nyc-then-the-feds-took-it-down\/\">Chinese-language<\/a> media executive as federal investigators examine possible foreign influence concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Agents executed search warrants involving San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner and attorney Frank Lizarraga, the main targets of the investigation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Wapner has been a member of the Ontario City Council for over 30 years. <span class=\"credit\">ontarioca.gov<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Hagman is a Republican who serves as the San Bernardino County Supervisor for the 4th District. <span class=\"credit\">San Bernardino County<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>James Su, chief executive of <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/11\/us-news\/eileen-wang-mayor-of-arcadia-accused-of-acting-as-chinese-agent\/\">Chinese-American <\/a>media company EDI Media, is a secondary target in the probe.<\/p>\n<p>Federal agents searched homes and offices across Southern California, including locations connected to Hagman, Wapner, Lizarraga and Su. <\/p>\n<p>Investigators also searched EDI Media\u2019s West Covina offices, a Beverly Hills mansion and obtained records connected to Ontario International Airport.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Su, chief executive of G&amp;E Studio and EDI Media, speaks in China. <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>No arrests have been made. <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A source close to the investigation characterized it as a public corruption probe with a possible foreign influence component.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI confirmed the addresses where warrants were carried out but the agency has not disclosed the nature of the allegations being investigated.<\/p>\n<p>The search warrant affidavits remain sealed, and federal officials declined to comment on the case.<\/p>\n<p>No arrests have been made.<\/p>\n<p>The raids come as US authorities continue <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/15\/us-news\/ex-mayor-eileen-wang-seen-in-arcadia-after-guilty-chinese-spy-plea\/\">investigating concerns that the Chinese government has sought to cultivate influence<\/a> among American officials and institutions.<\/p>\n<p>Hagman and Wapner both serve on the Ontario International Airport Authority, with Wapner serving as president.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Ontario International Airport unveils the new landmark entrance sign on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.\u00a0 <span class=\"credit\">MediaNews Group via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed that a related search warrant was served at the airport, The Los Angeles Times reported.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators also subpoenaed records from Ontario City Hall.<\/p>\n<p>Lizarraga is a prominent civil litigator, a University of La Verne trustee and a former Ontario planning commissioner.<\/p>\n<p>He previously worked for the Southern California Association of Governments, a regional planning organization representing six counties.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI operation follows the guilty plea of former <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/15\/us-news\/ex-mayor-eileen-wang-seen-in-arcadia-after-guilty-chinese-spy-plea\/\">Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, who admitted to accusations that she was directed by the Chinese government<\/a> to promote propaganda in the United States.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><figcaption>Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang. <span class=\"credit\">London Entertainment for CA Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Prosecutors alleged Wang helped operate US News Center, a website that portrayed itself as a news source for Chinese Americans while carrying out directives from the Chinese government.<\/p>\n<p>Su\u2019s EDI Media donated $500 to Wang\u2019s campaign on Oct. 10, 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew Cowan, an attorney for Su, said his client is an American citizen who has donated to political campaigns across the political spectrum and does not know why the FBI searched properties connected to him.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>California Post News<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCaliforniaPost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@CaliforniaPost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">X<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@thecaliforniapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Vb6a2IV1NCrL6q2AWq0E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/company\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post Sports<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/capostsports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/capostsports\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@capostsports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CaliforniaPostSports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/capostsports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">X<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post  <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Opinion<\/a> <br \/><strong>California Post Newsletters<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/email.nypost.com\/#california-post\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up here!<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post App<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/california-post\/id6751343487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download here!<\/a><br \/><strong>Home delivery<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribe.californiapost.com\/defaultCAP\">Sign up here!<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/california-post\/id6751343487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/><\/a><strong>Page Six Hollywood<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/hollywood-signup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Cowan said Su is only familiar with Hagman among the individuals connected to the searches.<\/p>\n<p>EDI Media, which describes itself as the largest Chinese American multimedia company in the United States, registered as a foreign agent in May 2022 after it previously printed the US version of a newspaper considered a \u201cforeign mission\u201d of the Chinese government.<\/p>\n<p>The company operates bilingual digital platforms, radio networks and television channels, and produces a Chinese American film festival.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>EDI Media, which describes itself as the largest Chinese American multimedia company. <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>EDI Media says it produces more than 2,000 hours of programming annually and reaches more than 35 million people worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>Agents also searched a 21,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion at 613 N. Canon Drive, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxla.com\/news\/fbi-serves-search-warrant-san-bernardino-county-supervisor-curt-hagmans-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FOX 11 reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Public records show the property was sold in 2023 for $24.6 million by Kurdish general Mansour Banzani to a Chinese mainland family through two companies, including one registered in Delaware.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Cali - Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia&#8217;s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The latest FBI activity follows another federal investigation in Lancaster, where agents searched City Hall and the homes of two council members.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities have not revealed details of that investigation.<\/p>\n<p>However, a source who reviewed a warrant said investigators sought communications between city officials <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/08\/lifestyle\/chinese-made-cars-keep-coming-to-california-as-congress-considers-crackdown\/\">and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD<\/a>, which operates a major bus manufacturing facility in Lancaster. <\/p>\n<p>No arrests have been made.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>BYD showcases its second-generation blade battery at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 20, 2026. <span class=\"credit\">stringer \/ Avalon<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The investigations have raised concerns among intelligence officials that Beijing has attempted to expand its influence in the United States by building relationships with local elected leaders.<\/p>\n<p>US Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) said she was \u201cdeeply troubled by the reports the FBI has executed warrants against elected officials in San Bernardino County. I am awaiting further information, but our community has zero tolerance for any corruption at any level of our government.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The FBI investigation remains active as federal agents continue examining the allegations behind the sealed warrants.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FBI launched a sweeping Southern California corruption probe this week, raiding properties tied to three local political figures and a Chinese-language media executive as federal investigators examine possible foreign influence concerns. Agents executed search warrants involving San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner and attorney Frank Lizarraga, the main targets of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/comp-fbi.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}