Was he a boy scout leader, church deacon, community activist?
What a country!
I don’t know the area but I did look up who this politician is who spoke up for the Chinese fellow. Danny Davis, Democrat, 7th district of Illinois. So, this is pretty bad to attest for someone so they don’t go to jail for as much this Yang stole. Danny Davis probably is corrupt or at least shady to do this.
But one can go to prison for 10 years for “structuring.”
A little guanxi goes a long way.
In China, any theft to be used overseas, intended for benefit of another country or for foreigners means the perp would be promptly shot, or would be put away in a dark and deep hole forever. Either way, he would never be heard from again.