The ploy was part of an effort by Sherry Li and Lianbo Wang to highlight their political connections as they seek funding to build a China-themed park in upstate New York, prosecutors said, adding that they raised $27 million in investment, but never completed the project.
Li called the park “Chinese Disneyland,” according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn federal court.
Prosecutors said Li and Wang made contributions in their own name to a committee organizing a fundraiser for Trump on June 28, 2017, but the funds came from 12 overseas donors whom the couple charged $93,000 each to attend. the event with them.
U.S. campaign finance laws prohibit foreigners from contributing to political candidates, or being solicited for donations, but nothing prohibits foreign nationals from attending fundraisers, the Washington lawyer said. Kenneth Gross, electoral law expert.
Li and Wang, both naturalized US citizens from China, were arrested on Long Island on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, as well as wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Wang’s attorney declined to comment. A lawyer for Li did not respond to a request for comment.
A spokeswoman and attorney for Trump, who has not been charged with wrongdoing, did not respond to requests for comment.
Li and Wang used a photo taken at the June 2017 event of Li smiling with Trump and then-first lady Melania Trump to solicit investment for the theme park project, prosecutors say.
Li also used funds from a Chinese national to donate to other committees that allowed him to attend campaign events in October 2017, including a dinner with Trump.
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