IN TROUBLE

Mar-a-Lago Breach: Yujing Zhang Reportedly Charged With Lying to Feds, Entering Restricted Property

Zhang was arrested in late March after attempting to enter the Mar-a-Lago club with a malware-infected thumb drive.

Yujing Zhang, the Chinese woman who was arrested after trying to enter President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club last month, was reportedly charged with “lying to a federal agent and entering restricted property without permission.” According to The Miami Herald, an indictment filed Friday states Zhang could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. The indictment reportedly does not include espionage charges, although officials are currently running a “counterintelligence investigation” into Zhang and analyzing her electronic devices for malware. Her arraignment is reportedly scheduled for Monday, and could potentially be deported if granted bond.

Zhang was arrested on March 30 after claiming that she was there to attend a U.S.-China “United Nations Friendship Event.” After resort staff determined she should not have been let on the premises, Zhang told officials she was invited to a Mar-a-Lago event by a friend named “Charles.” Law enforcement discovered she was carrying a malware-infected thumb drive with her at the time, and found more electronics in her hotel room. Evidence later presented in court reportedly showed Zhang paid the Chinese company of “Cindy” Yang, a former day spa owner known for selling Mar-a-Lago access to Chinese clients. While working with a Chinese associate named Charles Lee, Yang was reportedly able to bring over 20 clients to the Florida beach club in 2018. The Herald also reported that Zhang knew Yang's advertised event was canceled and asked or a refund, but she still went to the club anyway.

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