Mark Magnierin New York
A New York federal court has sentenced Chinese billionaire Qin Hui to seven months in prison for shadow political donations, immigration fraud, and using false identities. The 56-year-old tycoon, once valued at $1.8 billion by Forbes in 2018, pled guilty to several charges in March related to fraudulent campaign contributions. As part of the sentence, Qin will face immediate deportation after serving time.
Qin, the former head of Hong Kong-based entertainment company SMI Culture, had illegally funneled donations to U.S. political campaigns using intermediaries in violation of federal law. These donations, made in 2020 and 2021, went to political figures including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, and former Rhode Island mayor Allan Fung.
Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. elections, and Qin’s actions were part of a broader effort to influence U.S. politics. The scheme involved using straw donors to channel over $11,000 into the campaigns, while falsifying reports to the Federal Election Commission. It is unclear whether the recipients of the donations knew the true source.
Along with the campaign fraud, Qin also faced immigration-related charges. He admitted to lying on U.S. visa applications, using aliases including Muk Lam Li and Karl, to conceal his true identity. These aliases helped him transfer millions of dollars into the U.S., part of which funded the luxury Manhattan apartment he occupied in the Plaza Hotel.
The case also uncovered a series of financial frauds, including the illegal acquisition of a Florida driver’s license under a false name. In an earlier incident, Qin was arrested for allegedly attempting to intimidate his ex-wife before a civil trial, where he faced accusations of transferring property to avoid a foreign arbitration ruling.
Prosecutors emphasized that Qin’s actions undermined U.S. democracy and election integrity. “This sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who seeks to illegally influence our elections,” said James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge at the FBI’s New York field office.
In court, Qin’s defense attorney expressed regret for his client’s actions, noting that Qin had admired the U.S. and would be saddened by his deportation. Despite his criminal activities, his lawyer described Qin as a compassionate businessman and philanthropist.
Qin’s case is a reminder of the importance of enforcing laws that prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections. The FBI has pledged to continue its efforts to expose and dismantle corruption, particularly in areas that jeopardize the integrity of democratic processes.
