SAN FRANCISCO—It came as a shock to many when the news broke out early morning of March 25 that State Sen. Leland Yee was arrested on public corruption charges made by the FBI. The senator’s office in Sacramento and home in San Francisco were among the locations searched.
Authorities said that the 65-year-old senator solicited money from undercover agents, supposedly to be used in his campaign as Secretary of State. In return, he promised to use his position to help a “client” get a contract and influence legislation in Sacramento.
In an FBI unsealed affidavit, Yee is accused of “conspiracy to deal firearms without a license and to illegally import firearms.” It was not clear though if the said illegal transactions happened.
According to SFGate, Yee was one of the 26 people arrested after a lengthy investigation of racketeering, gun-running and money laundering that also targeted a notorious former gangster, Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow, 54. Both Yee and Chow appeared before US Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins in San Francisco March 25.
Another person in custody was 49-year-old former SF school board member Keith Jackson, according to SFGate. Jackson helped raise money for Yee during his unsuccessful run for Mayor in in 2011, as well as his current campaign. Authorities also said that he had acted as a consultant to Chow’s criminal organization.
Chow insists that he has changed.
Yee, a Democrat, was a former SF school board member, supervisor and member of the state Assembly, and currently a candidate for Secretary of State, one of California’s seven highest offices.
Asian Journal tried to reach Senator Leland Yee’s offices to ask for a statement by phone and email. A staff member replied via email that they do not have a statement at this time.
(AJPress, with reports from AP, SFGate)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(San Francisco March 28 – April 3, 2014 Sec A pg.1)
