The Southern California real estate agent accused of spying on a prominent Taiwanese family for China allegedly had access to $190,000 in a secret Chinese crypto account, as allegations surfaced that the she is “an unfit mother” at a court hearing Wednesday.
Wanying Zhang appeared in an LA courthouse wearing a white jumpsuit and shackles alongside new attorney Craig Harbaugh, who asked for home confinement for his client. The government vehemently argued that she was a flight risk.
At the hearing, prosecutors accused Zhang of having access to $190,000 in a secret Chinese cryptocurrency account that she “was still receiving profits from.” They also pointed to Zhang’s brother having ties to the Chinese government.
Prosecutors referenced a seized iCloud video they said would show Zhang was “a danger to society,” arguing that her ties to “her family may not be as strong as they seem” as her husband Edric Ding looked on.
“You should have produced this video and I could say she’s an unfit mother,” Judge Steve Kim said, as it was revealed that Zhang has “young children.”
Prosecutors also pointed to a dozen one-way trips Zhang allegedly took to China, Paris and Japan. Harbaugh argued that purchasing one-way tickets was more economical.
Judge Kim ruled Zhang was a flight risk, and she was taken into custody by US Marshals without bail.
She’s expected back in court on October 19.
Zhang’s initial hearing on Monday took a bizarre turn when her public defender, Chad Pennington, asked for a side conversation with the judge seconds after the proceeding began, leading to a lengthy 20-minute court recess.
When the parties returned, Zhang was asked if she understood what she was accused of and answered “yes.”
The real estate agent was arrested at LAX Sunday after being accused of spying for China. Zhang, also known as “Heather,” was busted as she tried to board a flight to Shanghai.
Video taken shortly after the arrest showed several FBI agents leading the handcuffed Zhang through an airport terminal.
The 34-year-old, who lives in Irvine, is accused of working with handlers from the People’s Republic of China to surveil the son of Taiwan President Ching-te Lai.
Zhang, who worked for a real estate firm along with her husband, allegedly traveled to Seattle in September 2025 to spy on Ting-Yu Lai, an engineer in his 30s who is based in the US.
Surveillance camera photographs also allegedly caught Zhang sitting in a car with an accomplice taking pictures of his house and close relatives.
She appeared to have lived a jet-setting lifestyle before federal authorities detained her.
Zhang documented trips to Paris and outings with friends across the West Coast on her social media pages.
She also appeared to have graduated from USC, where the total cost of attendance can run more than $75,000 per year.
Ding’s social media shows outings to Korean barbecue restaurants, as well as anime and sword-art expos.
The couple is also seen posing with what appears to be their child.
Zhang’s arrest comes amid several other high-profile California cases involving allegations of covert Chinese government activity or influence.
Disgraced former Arcadia mayor Eileen Wang entered a plea in federal court following the bombshell admission she was a spy for China in March.
Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell confessed to a prescription drug-fueled sex romp with a suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang, also known as “Fang Fang,” according to newly released FBI files in August.
“We have a problem with Beijing using Chinese Americans for their own purposes in California,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said. “They are using them for their own foreign affairs because they are playing the long game to get a competitive advantage over us.”
