Chinese language spy Christine Fang — also called “Fang Fang” — had a formidable run infiltrating California politics that included Ambien-fueled romps with disgraced Rep. Eric Swalwell earlier than vanishing again to her dwelling nation, newly launched FBI recordsdata present.
The “narcissistic” honeypot reportedly bragged of her seductive exploits, launched an unlawful fundraising scheme and was almost recruited for a top-secret FBI counterintelligence as she sought “cash” and “energy” throughout her roughly 4 years within the Unites States, investigators wrote in paperwork made public by the White Home Transparency Job Power.
Fang was identified to FBI investigators as “Rusty Thumbs,” based on an FBI memo dated June 2013.
The comely Chinese language nationwide connected with Swalwell on a number of events — as soon as openly displaying up at his East Bay condominium and asserting that she wasn’t sporting any underwear, per the recordsdata.
She bragged to FBI investigators of household ties to the Chinese language Communist Occasion, claiming she would sing for high-level officers as a baby and that she labored as a flight attendant on China’s model of Air Power One.
Described as a “hanging particular person” who offered herself as rich and trendy, Fang simply wormed her approach into California political circles by volunteering at occasions and fundraisers with Swalwell, former Fremont Mayor Invoice Harrison and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, based on investigative notes.
Fang and Swalwell met in 2012, when he was not but in congress, and communicated usually by way of textual content messages and e-mail.
Swalwell later copped to investigators that he noticed her as soon as each couple of months, however believed the friends-with-benefits association was solely “informal.”
The 2 even “connected” whereas Swalwell was on Ambien, the disgraced rep admitted to investigators.
Fang’s mother and father have been believed to be related to China’s Ministry of State Safety.
The FBI even tried to recruit her as a counterintelligence agent, assembly along with her and drawing up a contract earlier than discovering that she was engaged in unlawful marketing campaign fundraising actions for Swalwell, the paperwork present.
Fang boasted that she might “use her sexuality on politicians,” referring to actions with a U.S. mayor’s workforce whose identify was redacted from the paperwork. She claimed that mayor had invited her to a U.S. Convention of Mayors assembly to assist take notes.
The suspected spy was self-absorbed and motivated by “cash” and “energy,” investigators surmised.
She was “very flirtatious” and “dressed nicely,” giving the impression of somebody who was independently rich, the recordsdata state.
“Whereas socially adept, [Fang] seems to exhibit sure egotistical/narcissistic traits which can influence her suitability as a supply,” they admitted.
Fang enrolled at California State College East Bay in 2011 and fashioned the Chinese language College students Affiliation, serving as president.
A resume she supplied to FBI investigators who sought to recruit her for a counterintelligence gig listed her success in making contact with high-level California officers.
She bragged of internet hosting fundraising occasions for Swalwell, interning for ex-Fremont mayor Harrison and volunteering at a “Hubei Hight at Silicon Valley” occasion the place she was a “concierge” for former Governor Jerry Brown.
Fang additionally helped set up galas and occasions for former San Francisco mayor Lee, aiding with a fortieth anniversary “Ping Pong Diplomacy” occasion in San Francisco, based on the recordsdata.
She was investigated for making “unlawful marketing campaign contributions in alternate for internships throughout the official marketing campaign workplaces of a sitting United States congressman,” referring to Swalwell.
A FBI memo penned in 2017 signifies that Fang left the US — reportedly someday in mid-2015 — and she or he has been “barred re-entry” into the nation.
Her present whereabouts are unknown, although a Fb account tied to Fang posted a photograph in 2024 displaying her having fun with a meal at a restaurant.
