Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has some explaining to do. In December 2022, she welcomed two bankers with ties to Chinese intelligence onto her transition advisory team, a move that’s sparking serious questions about her judgment, as the Daily Caller reports. This isn’t just a minor oversight -- it’s a potential breach of public trust.
Bass appointed Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank, and Simon Pang, co-founder of Royal Business Bank, to help shape her administration’s early days. These two have collectively funneled over $1 million into Bass’ mayoral campaign and a nonprofit she advises. It’s a cozy arrangement that reeks of pay-to-play politics.
The Daily Caller News Foundation uncovered these troubling connections, shining a light on Bass’ questionable choices. Ng and Pang’s ties to Chinese intelligence aren’t just rumors -- they’re documented links that demand scrutiny. For a mayor to invite such figures into her inner circle is, at best, reckless.
Dominic Ng’s role as CEO of East West Bank doesn’t tell the whole story. His connections to Chinese intelligence raise red flags about foreign influence in local governance. Bass’ decision to appoint him suggests either ignorance or indifference to the risks.
Simon Pang, co-founder of Royal Business Bank, is no less concerning. His ties to Chinese intelligence make his advisory role a potential liability for Los Angeles. The city deserves leaders who prioritize security over political favors.
Together, Ng and Pang have donated over $1 million to Bass’ mayoral campaign. That’s not pocket change -- it’s a massive investment in access and influence. Voters should be asking what these bankers expected in return.
The money trail doesn’t stop at campaign contributions. Ng, Pang, and their banks also poured over $1 million into the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, where Bass serves as an advisor. This dual donation pipeline screams conflict of interest.
Bass’ role with the Mayor’s Fund only deepens the concern. As an advisor, she’s directly tied to an organization bankrolled by her questionable appointees. It’s hard to see this as anything but a blatant quid pro quo.
These financial ties aren’t just numbers -- they’re leverage. When foreign-linked bankers are funding both a campaign and a nonprofit tied to the mayor, it’s a recipe for compromised leadership. Los Angeles deserves better than this.
Bass’ transition team was supposed to set the tone for her administration. Instead, it’s a flashing warning sign of misplaced priorities. Appointing Ng and Pang suggests she’s more interested in donors than in safeguarding the city.
The Chinese intelligence connections are particularly alarming in a global city like Los Angeles. Foreign influence in local politics isn’t a hypothetical -- it’s a real threat that Bass seems to have ignored. Her choices betray a dangerous naivety.
Voters elected Bass to serve their interests, not those of wealthy bankers with foreign ties. Yet, her actions suggest she’s more beholden to her donors than to her constituents. That’s not leadership -- it’s a sellout.
The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles should be a force for good, not a slush fund for dubious donors. Bass’ advisory role there only amplifies the need for transparency about these donations. Angelenos deserve to know the full extent of this financial web.
Bass must address these appointments head-on. Dodging questions or dismissing concerns won’t cut it when foreign influence is on the table. The public has a right to demand answers.
This isn’t about political point-scoring -- it’s about protecting Los Angeles from compromised leadership. Bass’ cozy ties with Ng and Pang aren’t just bad optics; they’re a potential threat to the city’s integrity. It’s time for her to put Angelenos first.
