“Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Sherry Xue Li pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC’s) administration of campaign finance laws. Li orchestrated a nearly decade-long scheme to defraud investors in a fictitious development project out of more than $30 million. As part of the scheme, Li and her co-defendant Lianbo Wang falsely promised those investors that their investments would guarantee them lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Li and Wang also sold foreign investors access to US politicians at fundraisers by collecting foreign-sourced funds from them and unlawfully contributing those funds to US political campaigns and committees. When sentenced, Li faces up to 20 years in prison. As part of her plea agreement, Li agreed to forfeit $31.5 million, as well as property at three locations. In 2024, Wang pleaded guilty to engaging in unlawful monetary transactions and conspiracy to defraud the United States, and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment,” says a Justice Department press release.

“Li and Wang defrauded investors in a fictitious development project in Sullivan County, New York called the Thompson Education Center (TEC) (the TEC Project) out of more than $30 million. Many of the victims were foreign nationals located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who were persuaded to invest in the project by the defendants’ false assurances that their $500,000 investments would guarantee them lawful permanent residence in the United States through the EB-5 investment visa program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The defendants falsely represented the progress they were making on the project and its support from government officials. The defendants distributed promotional materials that contained photographs of Li with prominent US politicians to falsely convey government support for the project…” And HOLY SHIT! Which “prominent US politician”?

Sherry crossed a line and didn’t donate enough from her scam. Sure she got the pic, but that’s what, a $250,000 donation? Not even close to enough if she was using that pic as part of the grift.