A Taiwanese chamber of commerce donated $510,000 to the unregistered Arcadia Fire Department Foundation, intended for local firefighters after a wildfire. However, the foundation, with local politician ties, was not compliant with state regulations, leading to concerns over acceptance of foreign donations. This situation heightened scrutiny following a recent scandal involving potential foreign influence in Arcadia's government. Despite inquiries and a statement from the Attorney General's Office, the foundation has yet to register, and the funds have not been received by the city.
But the Arcadia Fire Department Foundation, which counts City Councilmember David Fu as a board member and former City Councilmember Sho Tay as president, was not registered with the state and was therefore not allowed to accept donations.
Funds raised from foreign entities to a non-profit that an elected government representative sits on is always suspicious and to have no specific use or project to fund is even more suspect.
Arcadia officials say they haven't received the money. The sizable check - made out to a small, unregistered charity overseen by a local politician - touched a nerve in a city on the watch for signs of foreign influence.
We are working with the Foundation to get them into compliance,
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