Wanying Zhang pleads not guilty in Los Angeles courtroom to acting as alleged Chinese agent
Zhang enters her plea
Zhang, a Southern California realtor, denied the allegations in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday. Prosecutors accuse her of conspiring with Chinese intelligence officials in a mission they characterized as espionage.
The case is now set to proceed toward a trial, where the Justice Department will lay out its evidence. The article does not give further details about the allegations or Zhang’s response beyond her plea.
Family and business connections
Zhang’s husband, Edric Ding, attended earlier court hearings. The two work as realtors at the same firm in Irvine, California. Separately, Miao’s son told CBS News that he did not believe his father worked for the Chinese government. Miao has not been charged with a crime.
Court dates set in California
The judge set a pretrial hearing for Nov. 12. Zhang’s trial is scheduled to start Nov. 30 at a federal courthouse in Santa Ana, California. The trial is expected to last about four days, according to the article.
Key points
- Wanying Zhang pleaded not guilty Friday in a Los Angeles federal courtroom.
- Prosecutors allege Zhang conspired with Chinese intelligence officials on a spy mission.
- A pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 12, with trial scheduled for Nov. 30.
- Zhang and her husband, Edric Ding, work as realtors at the same Irvine firm.