California State Senator Leland Yee Arrested on Bribery And Corruption Charges

[Newsjock]

Last edited Wed Mar 26, 2014, 06:31 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: NBC Bay Area

California state Sen. Leland Yee has been arrested on bribery and corruption charges as part of several arrests made by the FBI Wednesday morning during a sting, sources have told NBC Bay Area.

Yee, who has served in the state Legislature for more than a decade, was elected to the State Senate in November 2006 and represents District 8, which includes San Francisco and San Mateo County. The former San Francisco supervisor and 2011 mayoral candidate is currently running for secretary of state.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol and Sergeant at Arms are currently stationed outside Yee's state Capitol office in Sacramento, where the FBI agents are conducting a raid, taking computers and other documents, according to KCRA-TV.

... Yee's arrest would make him the third Democratic state senator fighting charges this year.

Read more: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/California-State-Senator-Leland-Yee-Arrested-on-Bribery-And-Corruption-Charges-252452181.html

---

Indictment unsealed:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sen-yee-indictment-unsealed-20140326,0,7238867.story

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment against state Sen. Leland Yee in court Wednesday, accusing him of conspiring to commit wire fraud and traffic firearms.

In all, 26 people, including former school board president Keith Jackson, were indicted on charges related to an extensive crime ring headed by well-known Chinatown figure Raymond Chow, who was also arrested and charged Wednesday.

The indictment alleges Yee and Jackson defrauded "citizens of honest services" and were involved in a scheme to traffic firearms in exchange for thousands in campaign donations to the senator.

Federal prosecutors also allege Yee agreed to perform official acts in exchange for the money, including one instance in which he introduced a businessman to state legislators who had significant influence over pending medical marijuana legislation. In exchange, the businessman -- who was actually an undercover FBI agent -- agreed to donate thousands to Yee's campaign fund, according to the indictment.

Earlier today:
[hr]

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/report-senator-leland-yee-detained-corruption-prob/nfLjB/

A state senator was in federal custody, his Sacramento office secured by CHP officers and San Francisco police officers raided the headquarters of the powerful the Chinese Freemasons Association Wednesday in an alleged corruption crackdown by federal, state and local officials. ... Others targeted by the raids were former Wo Hop To Chinese triad member Raymond Chow, who emerged as a leader of the Freemasons Association after his release from federal prison several years ago.

[hr]
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Leland-Yee-reportedly-arrested-in-corruption-case-5350602.php

... Sources told The Chronicle that the predawn, multiagency raids stemmed from a shooting about five years ago.

... Among the locations being searched was the Ghee Kung Tong Supreme Lodge belonging to the Chinese Freemasons on Spofford Street in San Francisco's Chinatown. An FBI evidence response team also searched a building on the 1700 block of Hyde Street.

... Democratic officials expressed shock at the development. California Democratic Party chair John Burton said he was completely unaware of the law enforcement move, and knew nothing about it.

[hr]
Update: Another one in Charlotte this morning. Raises the eyebrows a bit, I'd say.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024729655
Another Dem just arrested by FBI. Robert Mueller(R-BushFamilyFixer) set up stings

[Union Label]

1. Well shit

the rethugs are going to have a field day.

[2banon]

3. There goes our majority for another decade or so.

shit.

[arcane1]

7. There goes our majority?

There are nearly three times as many Dems:

http://senate.ca.gov/senators

[2banon]

9. my bad, i meant "Super Majority" needed to override Republican obstructionism. n/t

[arcane1]

10. Oh yeah, I forgot about that

[freshwest]

32. And that is what allowed the changes away from the GOP day. n/t

[Auggie]

15. Yee's seat will stay Democratic

Last edited Wed Mar 26, 2014, 02:44 PM - Edit history (1)

[2banon]

17. True. It's the Bay Area after all, and goes in part to explain why I choose to live here. :)

[Snotcicles]

12. Maybe they are soiling their trou, realizing Dems first, so not appear as politically motivated. nt

[2banon]

2. omg.

This senator had a high profile in Bay Area.

Others targeted by the raids were former Wo Hop To Chinese triad member Raymond Chow, who emerged as a leader of the Freemasons Association after his release from federal prison several years ago.

This statement is confusing. Raymond Chow "emerged" as a Freemason after his release from prison? So was he involved in corruption and arrested again?

[2banon]

4. I wasn't even aware of the existence of a Chinese Freemason association.

Need to learn more about the shooting (5 years ago) that spurred on an investigation leading to this raid/arrests.

[hack89]

5. Freemasons and Triads - what a combination! nt

[bpj62]

6. Too Bad

I don't care what party you represent. If you break the law you pay the consequences. All politicians should know that they are always going to be scrutinized at a higher level when they take office. I realize that power corrupts but they have to know better. Sorry California.

[dotymed]

8. While I would guess

most repugs are better at bribery, the current democratic party is just as full of greedy corporatists.
Since Obama left most state prosecutors from bush in charge, I can also see why D's would be the subjects of more investigations.
We need to rid "our" politics of ALL (no matter party) of these non-constituent representing, greedy bastards.

Yee is accused of being bought by organized crime. Politics has become another branch of organized crime, IMO.

[former9thward]

33. Obama did not leave "most state prosecutors from bush in charge."

The president appoints federal prosecutors not state prosecutors. All federal prosecutors in CA have been appointed by Obama. I am not aware of any Bush U.S. attorneys that remain. It was a myth that Obama left them all in.

[2banon]

11. Let's see if the Feds go after corrupt repukes now.

You know there's gotta be a number of them in San Diego area among other "red" regions in the state.

[alp227]

13. Wow. THIRD California legislator who broke the law:

After two Los Angeles area legislators, Sens. Ron Calderon (bribery) and Roderick Wright (not living in his district).

And then in Illinois, a Chicago-area state representative resigned after his house was raided by the feds.

In Rhode Island, the Speaker of the House resigned his post after his home was raided.

(edit) SHIT! Now a New York Democratic Assembly member is under investigation!

FUCK! It's tough enough for Democrats in Congress. With all these scandals happening near the same time in state legislatures we've got an uphill battle this year.

But at least Republicans in Congress have their own crooks currently under investigation: Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Markwayne Mullin.

Isn't Wisconsin's governor Scott Walker still under investigation?

[littlewolf]

14. could this be manufactured ? something that appears wrong

but isn't?

[Starry Messenger]

16. Gah!!!!! My State Senator!! x(

Rust never sleeps.

Bad if he is involved in anything--but are there no criminals in the GOP in CA? You mean none of those tea bagging a-holes are in bed with meth gangs in the eastern part of the state?

[2banon]

18. Exactly, and what about Darryl Issa and the San Diego district.

Tell me there's NO CORRUPTION on our Border City, and I've got beach property in Arizona to sell ya.. Let's see how well the FEDS are determined to demonstrate their honesty/political neutrality.

[Starry Messenger]

20. ++++

And perp-walking him out of there like it's COPS. wtf. If this was a Republican, they'd send him a polite note requesting his appearance, maybe, at some point. Now they aren't answering questions from the media, citing "officer safety." Well, who the fuck turned this into a huge circus, assholes?

Pardon my language, this pisses me off so much.

[Gormy Cuss]

23. I'm shocked by this arrest.

Yee has been a rising star in state politics. The FBI had better be right about this.

[Starry Messenger]

31. I'm totally gobsmacked.

This is a real blow. He lives a few miles from my mom's house, and he's always been helpful and approachable for CC students who needed help with FOIA requests for the school paper, etc. He is a white hat who works for his constituents.

[neversaydie]

54. read the affidavit

read the affidavit and then see how you feel. I finally finished it and I'm simply stunned. Never would have guessed. I thought he was one of the good guys, but now.....

[kimbutgar]

19. This does not shock me

Leland Yee was behind trying to sell the land where the cow palace is located. This multi purpose arena features festivals, fairs, concerts (Beatles and rolling stones played there) trade shows, gun shows and even an annual rodeo. Mr. Yee received many donations from a local developer. The backlash was swift. This is a cherished historical institution on the San Francisco / Daly City border. I never felt the same about the guy. I voted for him as state senator holding my nose.

[brett_jv]

21. I saw Kiss there in 1976 (Love Gun tour, I was 10) and Iron Maiden in 1982 (Piece of Mind) ...

And LOTS of other shows over the years ... Such as the Conspiracy of Hope (Amnesty Int'l Show with u2, peter gabriel, sting, etc) in I think 1986 ... everyone big that came through town back then was either at Cow Palace or Oakland Coliseum Arena. Once Shoreline opened though (late 1980's IIRC), the number of Cow Palace shows went down dramatically, and I've not been there in many, many years now. Course I no longer (sadly) live in the Bay Area either ...

[The Green Manalishi]

22. Cow Palace had about the worst acoustics of anyplace I can imagine

I heard Rush there (with .38 special opening) and even knowing every song well enough to play it on bass (well) or guitar (poorly) and sing it (an octave lower) I could barely tell what songs were being played. Garbage place to actually *hear* the music IMHO

[Jack for Sanders]

25. Maybe just a coincedence

But I'll bet the FBI has a lot of Limbaugh fans.


State Sen. Leland Yee launches boycott of Rush Limbaugh advertisers
By Mike Rosenberg

POSTED: 01/25/2011 07:26:08 PM PST0 COMMENTS| UPDATED: 3 YEARS AGO

State Sen. Leland Yee is going after another right-wing heavyweight, this time launching a boycott of any companies that advertise on Rush Limbaugh's radio show.

Yee, a Democrat who represents northern San Mateo County and western San Francisco, began reaching out Tuesday to dozens of civil rights organizations to ask them to condemn Limbaugh.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_17198182

[2banon]

26. Just heard a promo that Frontline will be airing their investigation into the Chinese Triad story.

KQED radio said it would be aired tonight on KQED TV.. don't know if that's accurate, waiting for a confirmation from Frontline regarding schedule.

[alp227]

39. Tonight, Frontline is about tuberculosis.

But PBS had a Wide Angle program back in '06 about Chinese triads.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/uncategorized/18-with-a-bullet-china-chinese-triads/1537/

Don't see why KQED would change their schedule at the last minute just because of the Yee arrest. Also, Frontline never did a show about Chinese gangs.

[mwrguy]

27. Leeland Yee has been one of the best senators when it comes to gun control

This is a shame.

[pothos]

30. yes!

and the NRA bots are all over the internet this morning, ecstatic about this news. ugh.

[Union Label]

35. I heard a rumor that makes zero sense

that he's being charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms.

[Newsjock]

37. That's the allegation

Update posted in the OP above.

[petronius]

38. The San Jose Mercury News provided a link to the complaint:

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_25424255/document-criminal-complaint-against-leland-yee-25-others?source=pkg

Check out lines 11-25 on page 5. Pretty shocking, if it turns out to be true...

[alp227]

40. Not a rumor. It's true.

Reports the Associated Press. Wow. I couldn't believe it.

[Union Label]

41. Damn damn damn

what the fuck is going on today?

[Throd]

45. I don't believe that. Most reports in the first 24 hours are bullshit and arm-flapping anyway.

[uncommonlink]

46. He's already had his Preliminary hearing where the charges are read to him

and illegal arms trafficking was one of the charges.
Whether true or not remains to be seen, but he has been charged.

[Throd]

48. If these charges prove to be true, this guy takes the cake for hubris.

[uncommonlink]

49. Ain't that the truth.

Here Sen. Yee is one of the most vocal gun control advocates in the CA legislature and now he's charged with illegal firearms trafficking.
You just can't make this stuff up.

Now it remains to be seen if he is found innocent or guilty or cops a plea if the evidence against his is strong enough.

[2banon]

43. I originally missed the gun trafficking charges. In public took Gun Control position but had a hand

in gun trafficking.. That just blows my fucking mind. The Feds have better have this right.

[cepenta]

50. How?

How is he one of the best, he just gave pro gun people the best argument they could possibly have gotten. (If true)

[dilby]

52. Would not be the first Politician to profit by making something illegal.

I am thinking there quite a few during prohibition.

[SpankMe]

28. These fucking legislators...

I'm a blue, left-leaner if there ever was one. I want Cali to have super-majorities of Dems in both houses to keep the crazy at bay.

(Actually, I'd like to see this in Oregon and Washington state so liberals have a wide ranging place to live in true liberty after the Repubs have Gerrymandered themselves the whole rest of the country.)

But, Democrats have been in charge in Cali for so long that I think there's a high level of corruption in the state Assembly and Senate; we're our own worst enemy.

I want a new initiative started by the California Democratic party that emphasizes the utmost in ethical behavior. I want a well crafted code of conduct put in writing that all Democratic office seekers and holders have to sign up to before they get state party support. I know this sounds a little like those whacked-out anti-tax pledges that Republicans are "forced" to sign before they get Tea Party support. But - as much as I believe in core progressive, Democratic principles - many of these Democratic California legislators are corrupt, arrogant swaggering assholes who need to be replaced with more humble and honorable liberal officeholders.

[2banon]

29. FBI Director Comey serves on the board of the HSBC which is tied to Hong Kong

So he busts Leland Lee who is alleged to be tied this Chinese Triad (have to learn about who and what they are) in San Francisco. Could there some sort of financial warfare between that group and HSBC/Hong Kong, which Comey is a board director?

hmm..

[Jesus Malverde]

34. One fascinating angle is "shrimp boy" a notorious Chinese gangster in SF.

Shrimp boy took over one of the tongs after it's president was murdered. The funeral was bizarre with Shrimp boys gang all dressed in black holding newspapers hiding their boss shrimp boy, who went to the funeral like a bride dressed in white.

Who knows what it was all about



He was let out of prison as an informant, valuable to the feds for his underground connections in China.

[kiranon]

36. Lee is my representative. I'll wait to see the evidence

on this. He has been a good representative. Hope the allegations are not true.

[uncommonlink]

44. Hope they're not true either,

but the feds will have video and audio of every meeting with him and the FBI knowing who he is, you can bet they wanted to have all their ducks in a row before they arrested him.

Mr. Yee has got some rough times ahead of him.

[kiranon]

53. Read the indictment. Sen. Lee needs to resign immediately. So

disappointed.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

47. This, sadly, does not surprise me. :(

Rose Pak, Ed Jew, Willie Brown -- all VERY close Yee associates, all corrupt as all hell. SF is full of very serious power players -- both the political and the criminal.

On a side note, glad to see a Triad leader get nailed. I hate those fuckers.

[warrprayer]

51. suprise, suprise.

back to the good old days.