Califonia State Senator Leland Yee Arrested and Going to Trial On Arms Trafficking And Corruption Charges, Released on $500,000 Bail
California state senator Leland Yee was arrested for arms trafficking and corruption charges on Wednesday, March 26. Ironically, the state senator is known for his advocacy of anti-gun laws and his implement of anti-gun violence legislation including his attempt to outlaw violent video games.
Yee is no stranger to trouble with the law. Just one month prior to his arrest, Yee plead not guilty to charges that he accepted $100,000 in bribes to push specific legislation. This time around, Yee is accused of consorting with felons and promising undercover FBI agents international gun runners in exchange for cash towards his political campaigns.
The arrest follows the law enforcement raids that took place around the Bay area on Wednesday. Among the places investigated by the FBI was Yee's office at the state Capitol. FBI agents removed at least nine boxes and a paper bag of incriminating evidence from his office early Wednesday morning.
Yee wasn't the only one arrested amidst the scandal. There are approximately two dozen individuals charged in the case and among those arrested include the ring leader of Ghee Kung Tong, Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow.
Chow is believed to have connection to Yee with crimes including firearms trafficking, money laundering, murder-for-hire, and drug distribution. Chow's arrest has been one that investigators have been trying to crack down on since the late 1980s.
Senator Yee was released on $500,000 bond as he awaits his trial. So what is Leland Yee's future in the state senate? Yee's lawyer Paul DeMeester said, "The future will hold a lot of work." Democratic leaders in Sacramento have already urged Yee to immediately step down. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg commented, "Senator Yee should leave the Senate and leave it now."
Yee is now California's third Democratic legislator involved in corruption allegations.