Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy...unbelievable.
Mike
Last Updated Mar 26, 2014 6:10 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO -- State Sen. Leland Yee, one of the most powerful Democratic politicians in California, was arrested Wednesday morning in a major series of federal raids in the Bay Area targeting corruption and gang activity, CBS San Francisco<http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/03/26/fbi-conducting-massive-series-of-raids-across-california/> reported.
Federal agents arrested Lee at his home in San Francisco Wednesday morning and drove him to the federal courthouse while his offices in Sacramento were raided as well.
An FBI affidavit in support of a criminal complaint against Yee and 25 other people reveals the lawmaker is accused of conspiracy to deal firearms and wire fraud.
Yee performed "official acts" in exchange for donations from undercover FBI agents, as he sought to dig himself out of a $70,000 debt incurred during a failed San Francisco mayoral bid, according to court documents.
Yee is also accused of accepting $10,000 in January 2013 from an undercover agent in exchange for his making a call to the California Department of Public Health in support of a contract under consideration with the agency.
Also arrested in the raid was Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, a former Chinatown gangster who currently heads the Ghee Kong Tong masonic organization in San Francisco commonly referred to as the Chinese Freemasons.
Chow is accused of money laundering, conspiracy to receive and transport stolen property and conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes.
Agents on Wednesday also raided a San Francisco Chinatown building which houses the Ghee Kong Tong.
Yee represents California's 8th District, which includes part of San Francisco and the Peninsula. He is currently a candidate for California secretary of state.
Yee has been an effective lawmaker who has been dogged by controversies over the years<http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/03/26/leland-yee-resume-shows-history-of-successful-lawmaking-murmurs-of-misconduct/>. He serves on a number of California Senate committees and chairs three committees, including the Select Committee on California's Public Record and Open Meeting Laws.
"That's shocking news to me," said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee when asked about Yee's arrest. "It's many years of public service so I don't know what's occurred there. ... I hope for the best."
CBS San Francisco reported the action appears to stem, at least in part, from the investigation of a gang-related shooting several years ago.
"Hundreds of officers are involved in this," said San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr, who described the operation as "massive."
FBI officers confirmed there are a number of jurisdictions involved but emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to public safety
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