Accused Chinese spys crypto cash flow, unfit mother claims exposed in court

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 lead...