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★ — Net worth (published estimate)
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Posted · · Arrests
Poster · @TheSCIF (The SCIF)
Synopsis
BREAKING: Declassified FBI files just exposed how a Chinese spy traded interns for campaign cash with Congressman Eric Swalwell, complete with election fraud, sex, straw donations, and a full-on public-corruption probe. Newly released records, codenamed "Freshman Fifteen," detail a years-long FBI investigation into then-Rep. Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang or "Christine" Fang, a Chinese national suspected of ties to China's Ministry of State Security, MSS. Fang facilitated a scheme to place interns in Swalwell's congressional office and campaign in exchange for campaign contributions. Contributions were routed through American intermediaries "conduits" to conceal Fang herself as the prohibited foreign-national source of the money. Possible federal violations listed in a June 2014 FBI memo, bribery of public officials, conspiracy, excessive campaign contributions, prohibited foreign-national contributions, and contributions through conduits. Quid pro quo exchanges of access/internships for money. Fang had suspected MSS ties, agents noted her parents as senior MSS officers, she previously worked as a flight attendant on Xi Jinping's aircraft. Opened March 17, 2014, as a Sensitive Investigative Matter, because a sitting member of Congress was a subject. Agents used physical surveillance, confidential human sources, search warrants, and an undercover operation. Early goal included gathering evidence to indict and arrest both Swalwell and Fang. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was notified and prepared to prosecute if evidence supported it. Swalwell admitted to FBI agents that he had physical/sexual relations with Fang on multiple occasions, including an incident where she showed up at his door, last intimacy around March 2015. He stated she never asked for or received classified information and that he provided no favors in exchange. Swalwell's campaign took in about $1,145,688 in individual contributions, Jan 2013–Dec 2014. Agents documented several contributions routed through intermediaries, in at least two cases in 2013 and two in 2014, Fang used conduits, with 2013 examples tracing back to her as an illegal foreign source. An example is when a wealthy winery owner said Fang told him to "just bring his checkbook" because she would reimburse the donation. A fast-food franchise magnate said Fang wanted his contribution credited to her. A Chinese national volunteered in the campaign. Agents also looked at a 2014 Wynn Casino, Las Vegas, event involving Fang, Swalwell, donation checks, and reimbursement issues. Undercover testing included a $1,000 contribution routed through Fang. Fang referred interns to Swalwell's campaign and offices, Swalwell viewed them as connected to Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs/APAPA groups. Staff placed at least some of Fang's recommended interns. Physical surveillance occurred, multi-hour observation at a California shopping center on June 16, 2014. Earlier, the FBI tried to recruit Fang as a confidential source/informant, code-named "Rusty Thumbs," using an undercover agent and a fictitious company; she signed a contractor agreement in 2013. The probe initially targeted both but was later narrowed. Swalwell was dropped as a subject around February 2017 after agents found no federal statute violations by him. Focus shifted to Fang, possible charges included prohibited contributions in the name of another, excess limits, foreign-national contributions, false statements/records, bulk cash smuggling, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Fang fled the U.S., around 2015, after interviews of associates and a search of her home, and was not prosecuted, DOJ declined, she was abroad. The investigation closed in 2017. Fang was barred from re-entry. Swalwell received a defensive briefing around 2015, cut ties, and cooperated with the FBI. No charges were brought against him. A later House Ethics Committee review also took no action. Full declassified documents in video below.
