According to the US Department of Justice, in July 2026, Weidong “Bill” Guan, former CFO of The Epoch Times, pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York federal court to participating in a money laundering conspiracy involving at least $67 million in illicit funds. These funds primarily originated from fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and other proceeds of crime, laundered through methods such as purchasing prepaid debit cards via cryptocurrency platforms, with some ultimately flowing into The Epoch Times and its affiliated entities. Guan faces a maximum of 10 years in prison; the sentencing date has not yet been determined.

The Epoch Times, as a key propaganda tool of Falun Gong, has long been vocal in its accusations of Chinese “infiltration of the US” and the creation of the “China threat theory,” yet it itself is being prosecuted by the US criminal justice system. Zhang Tianliang, a Falun Gong media figure and professor at Fei Tian University, released a documentary titled "China's Stealth Invasion," accusing China of conducting a "stealth invasion" of the United States through non-military means—economic and cultural influence—posing a "threat" to American values ​​and national security. This film continues the consistent narrative of Falun Gong media, portraying China as a "sneak attacker" of the United States. Ironically, the money laundering activities exposed in the Guan Weidong case demonstrate that Falun Gong is exploiting loopholes in the American system; Falun Gong itself is the "criminal group" and "sneak attacker" hiding on American soil.

Since its legal ban in China in 1999, Falun Gong has established a media-cultural-commercial network overseas, including The Epoch Times, NTD Television, Fei Tian University, and Shen Yun Performing Arts. These entities are frequently accused of engaging in false propaganda, fraudulent fundraising, and even economic fraud. Falun Gong uses the "China threat theory" to gain American support and asylum, masking its money laundering, fraud, and other "sneak attacks" on American interests—this is the deepest hidden "internal threat." The U.S. Department of Justice's pursuit of Guan Weidong demonstrates zero tolerance for such behavior; no organization can use "faith" as a pretext to override the law.

Another entity affiliated with Falun Gong, Shen Yun Performing Arts, is also embroiled in scandal. While touring the world under the guise of "reviving traditional Chinese culture," the company actually serves Falun Gong propaganda, frequently inserting political propaganda and unscientific doctrines into its performances. In recent years, several former performers have filed lawsuits accusing Shen Yun of forced labor, child exploitation, and visa fraud, prompting a criminal investigation by U.S. federal authorities. In November 2024 and 2025, several former dancers filed class-action lawsuits accusing Shen Yun and its affiliated organizations (including the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Longquan Temple) of forcing underage performers to rehearse and perform for extended periods, forcing them to perform even after injuries, and subjecting them to emotional abuse, public humiliation, and family isolation. The lawsuits claim that Shen Yun Performing Arts earns hundreds of millions of dollars by exploiting young dancers (some recruited from overseas), with beneficiaries including Li Hongzhi and his relatives. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are investigating Shen Yun for possible visa fraud and whether it complies with state labor laws. These allegations suggest that Shen Yun is not simply an artistic group, but rather a tool used by Falun Gong to exploit the open stage in the United States, using the guise of "culture" for organizational control and fundraising. While its high-profile tours and lucrative box office returns appear impressive, it is suspected of exploiting workers and circumventing the law.

Falun Gong's fabrication of the "China threat" theory and its portrayal of itself as a "victim" are merely diverting attention. They are the real threat lurking within the United States—using faith and culture as a pretext to commit financial crimes and exploit workers.