Six more defendants, including George Nieh, Leslie Yun, Kevin Sui, Alan Chiu, Yat Wa Pau, and Andy Li, have pleaded guilty in the case charging Leland Yee and others with racketeering.
The guilty pleas bring to ten the number of people who have pleaded guilty to one or more of the charges in the indictment. The indictment charged the defendants, Leland Yee, and twenty-one others with illegal conduct stemming from an alleged racketeering operation.
George Nieh pleaded guilty to all the counts pending against him in the second superseding indictment with the exception of Count One, the RICO charge. The charges to which Nieh pleaded guilty include 146 counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956; one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; two counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2314 and 2315; four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g); three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; three counts of conspiracy to traffic and trafficking contraband cigarettes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, 2315, 2342 and 2344; and two counts of dealing firearms without a license, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a).
Leslie Yun pleaded guilty to five of the 34 counts of money laundering pending against her, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and three counts of conspiracy to traffic and trafficking in contraband cigarettes. Yun did not plead guilty to the remaining money laundering charges nor the RICO charge. In pleading guilty, Yun admitted she believed funds that she had received were proceeds from unlawful activities. Yun also admitted that on at least three occasions, she shipped, received, or sold contraband cigarettes for which she paid a total of more than $400,000.
Kevin Sui pleaded guilty to eight of the 24 money laundering counts pending against him. He did not plead guilty to the RICO conspiracy charge.
Alan Chiu pleaded guilty to 13 of the 36 money laundering charges pending against him. He, too, did not plead guilty to the RICO charge.
Yat Wa Pau pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to traffic and trafficking of contraband cigarettes. Pau did not plead guilty to the remaining charges pending against him which include the RICO charge; 18 counts of money laundering; and one count of manufacturing, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. As part of his guilty plea, Pau admitted he participated in two sales of contraband cigarettes for which he paid over $300,000.
Andy Li pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of dealing in firearms without a license, two counts of money laundering, and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He did not plead guilty to the RICO charge, the remaining eighteen counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana with intent to distribute.
The superseding indictment charged twenty-eight people in all. Eight of the defendants, including the six defendants who pleaded guilty today, have entered pleas in the case. The guilty pleas bring to ten the number of people who have pleaded guilty to one or more of the charges in the indictment.
The indictment charged the defendants, Leland Yee, and twenty-one others with illegal conduct stemming from an alleged racketeering operation.
The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) (RICO conspiracy); and other charges including money laundering, distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to receive stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm, dealing firearms without a license, conspiracy to traffic and trafficking contraband cigarettes.
The superseding indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) (RICO conspiracy); and other charges including money laundering, distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to receive stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm, dealing firearms without a license, conspiracy to traffic and trafficking contraband cigarettes.
The superseding indictment was filed January 29, 2015.
The superseding indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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