Transplant Surgeon Sentenced for Operation of Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business
2024-12-16 · Press release
Mentions 1960 Verified 1960
Summary: BOSTON – A renowned Chinese kidney transplant surgeon at Wuhan Union Hospital was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with his family member’s drug trafficking operation.
BOSTON – A renowned Chinese kidney transplant surgeon at Wuhan Union Hospital was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with his family member’s drug trafficking operation.
Zhendi Wang, 44, of Wuhan, was sentenced by District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 20 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Three co-defendants in a related money laundering conspiracy remain at large. In October 2024, Wang pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Wang, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, opened bank accounts in Massachusetts. Between 2020 and 2023, Wang received $1.2 million in his bank accounts from a family member. That money was derived from sales from the family member’s online steroids business. Wang then repaid equivalent amounts to his family member in Chinese currency. Wang lacked the appropriate license to operate a money transmitting business.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Quincy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Weinstein and Evan Panich of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
- district_office
- District of Massachusetts
- usa_name
- Joshua S. Levy
- event_type
- sentencing
- judge_name
- Allison D. Burroughs
- judge_title
- District Court Judge
- case_number
- max_penalty_text
- sentence_summary
- 20 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release
- money_amounts
- $1.2 million
- crypto_assets
- statutes_json
- timeline_json
- {"plea_date": "2024-10-01"}
- press_release_url
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/transplant-surgeon-sentenced-operation-unlicensed-money-transmitting-business
- extras_json
| participant_id | name | role | title | organization | location | age | nationality | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 612 | Zhendi Wang | defendant | Transplant Surgeon | Wuhan Union Hospital | Wuhan | 44 | Chinese | sentenced |
| 613 | Allison D. Burroughs | judge | District Court Judge | U.S. District Court | Boston | |||
| 614 | Joshua S. Levy | prosecutor | United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Boston | |||
| 615 | Stephen Belleau | investigator | Acting Special Agent in Charge | Drug Enforcement Administration | New England | |||
| 616 | Michael J. Krol | investigator | Special Agent in Charge | Homeland Security Investigations | New England | |||
| 617 | Lindsey Weinstein | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Boston | |||
| 618 | Evan Panich | prosecutor | U.S. Attorney's Office | Boston |
| agency_id | agency_name | abbreviation | role | office_location | agents_mentioned | contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 396 | United States Attorney's Office | USAO | prosecution | Joshua S. Levy, Lindsey Weinstein, Evan Panich | prosecuted the case | |
| 397 | Drug Enforcement Administration | DEA | investigation | New England Field Division | Stephen Belleau | investigation into the case |
| 398 | Homeland Security Investigations | HSI | investigation | New England | Michael J. Krol | investigation into the case |
| 399 | Quincy Police Department | assistance | Quincy, Massachusetts | provided valuable assistance |
| charge_id | charge_description | statute | severity | max_penalty | fine_amount | defendant | status | participant_id | cl_docket_id | count_num | is_1960 | verified_1960 | source | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 390 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | Zhendi Wang | pleaded guilty | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:54+00:00 | ||||||||
| 2462 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with his family member’s drug trafficking operation | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:54+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2463 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:54+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2464 | unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with his family member’ | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:54+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2465 | unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:54+00:00 |
| fin_id | action_type | amount | currency | description | asset_type | defendant | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | forfeiture | $1.2 million | USD | Funds received from family member's online steroids business | cash | Zhendi Wang | null |
| victim_id | victim_type | description | number_affected | loss_amount | geographic_scope | vulnerability_factors | impact_description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 |
| quote_id | quote_text | speaker_name | speaker_title | speaker_organization | quote_type | context | significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 538 | The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. | statement | Legal presumption of innocence | Establishes the legal standard for the case |
| theme_id | theme_name | description | significance | related_statutes | geographic_scope | temporal_aspects | stakeholders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 496 | Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business | Zhendi Wang operated an unlicensed money transmitting business by receiving $1.2 million in U.S. bank accounts from his family member's drug proceeds and repaying in Chinese currency. | Operating without a license violated federal law, leading to his conviction and sentencing. | 18 U.S.C. § 1960 | International | 2020-2023 | Zhendi Wang, Financial institutions, Law enforcement agencies (DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Quincy Police Department) |
| 497 | Drug Trafficking (Steroids) | Wang's family member operated an online steroids business, the proceeds of which were laundered through Wang's money transmitting scheme. | The illicit drug sales provided the funds for money laundering, linking the case to drug trafficking. | 21 U.S.C. § 846 | National/International | 2020-2023 | Wang's family member, Law enforcement agencies |
| 498 | Money Laundering Conspiracy | Wang and co-defendants conspired to launder money derived from drug trafficking, with three co-defendants remaining at large. | The conspiracy highlights organized criminal activity and ongoing investigations. | 18 U.S.C. § 1956 | International | 2020-2023 | Zhendi Wang, Co-defendants, Law enforcement agencies |
CourtListener / RECAP
Linked dockets
- CL #68231827 1:24-cr-10034 (mad)
Documents
| Entry | Description | OCR | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| #99 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Sentencing held on 12/16/2024 for Zhendi Wang (1), Count(s) 1s. Interp. sworn. Colloquy regarding guidelines and forfeiture. Court accepts the plea agreement. The defendant is sentenced on Count 1s to 20 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons followed by 1 year of supervised release with conditions, no fine, and a $100.00 special assessment. Order of forfeiture to be attached to the judgment. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Mysliwiec. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Kelly Mortellite at mortellite@gmail.com. Interpreter name: Simon Chan, Language: Mandarin. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/16/2024) | none | none |
| #98 desc | ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING as to Zhendi Wang. Sentencing reset for 12/16/2024 10:30 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/11/2024) | none | none |
| #93 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 92 Motion for Forfeiture of Property as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/05/2024) | none | none |
| #91 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Waiver of Indictment and Plea to Information as to Zhendi Wang held on 11/14/2024. Interp. sworn. Defendant sworn. Colloquy with defendant regarding educational background, mental health, state of mind, nature of charges and rights, representation of counsel, and plea agreement. Waiver of indictment filed and accepted by the court. Court states maximum penalties. Govt. states elements of the offense and summarizes evidence if case were to go to trial. Plea entered by Zhendi Wang (1) - Guilty Count 1s. Court accepts plea, but defers acceptance of plea agreement until time of sentencing. Sentencing set for 12/13/2024 10:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Miedel. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Jessica Leonard at jessicamichaelleonard@gmail.com. Interpreter name: Simon Chan, Language: Mandarin. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #90 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Initial Appearance as to Zhendi Wang held on 11/14/2024. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Miedel. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Jessica Leonard at jessicamichaelleonard@gmail.com. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #89 desc | WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Zhendi Wang. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #86 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 85 Motion for Rule 11 Hearing as to Zhendi Wang (1). Rule 11 Hearing set for 11/14/2024 11:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Counsel is to contact U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services as soon as possible http://www.map.uscourts.gov/psi-interview-schedule to determine scheduling of the presentence interview. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 10/29/2024) | none | none |
| #84 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 83 Assented to MOTION to Extend Motions Deadlines filed by Zhendi Wang. (McManus, Caetlin) (Entered: 10/22/2024) | none | none |
| #81 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. ORDER ON EXCLUDABLE DELAY as to Zhendi Wang. Time excluded from 11/4/24 until 3/3/25. Reason for entry of order on excludable delay: 18 USC 3161(h)(7)(A) Interests of justice. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #80 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 79 Motion to Exclude time from 11/4/2024 to 3/3/2025as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #78 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Status Conference as to Zhendi Wang held on 9/26/2024. Motions deadline is set for 11/4/24. Trial estimated to be one week. Jury Trial set for 3/3/2025 09:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Pretrial order to issue. (Attorneys present: AUSA Weinstein, AUSA Panich, Miedel, Mysliwiec. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Kelly Mortellite at mortellite@gmail.com. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #77 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered acknowledging 75 Report and Order on Final Status Conference by Magistrate Judge as to Zhendi Wang (1). Status Conference set for 9/26/2024 11:00 AM in Remote Proceeding : Boston before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/18/2024) | none | none |
| #76 desc | Case as to Zhendi Wang no longer referred to Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/17/2024) | none | none |
| #73 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: Status Conference as to Zhendi Wang held on September 17, 2024.The Court reviewed the status of the case with the parties. The parties reported that the matter may be returned to the District Judge for further proceedings. The defendant agreed to exclude the time. The Court will issue the final report to the District Judge. (Attorneys present: Aaron J. Mysliwiec, Florian Miedel, Jonathan N. Rosen, Mengmeng Luo & John E. Handy for Defendant. Evan D. Panich & Lindsey E. Weinstein for US.) Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please email the Court at https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact the Court by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov. Interpreter name: Melissa Lo, Language: Chinese. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/17/2024) | none | none |
| #69 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 67 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm. as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/11/2024) | none | none |
| #89 desc | WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Zhendi Wang. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #69 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 67 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm. as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/11/2024) | none | none |
| #73 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: Status Conference as to Zhendi Wang held on September 17, 2024.The Court reviewed the status of the case with the parties. The parties reported that the matter may be returned to the District Judge for further proceedings. The defendant agreed to exclude the time. The Court will issue the final report to the District Judge. (Attorneys present: Aaron J. Mysliwiec, Florian Miedel, Jonathan N. Rosen, Mengmeng Luo & John E. Handy for Defendant. Evan D. Panich & Lindsey E. Weinstein for US.) Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please email the Court at https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact the Court by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov. Interpreter name: Melissa Lo, Language: Chinese. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/17/2024) | none | none |
| #76 desc | Case as to Zhendi Wang no longer referred to Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 09/17/2024) | none | none |
| #77 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered acknowledging 75 Report and Order on Final Status Conference by Magistrate Judge as to Zhendi Wang (1). Status Conference set for 9/26/2024 11:00 AM in Remote Proceeding : Boston before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/18/2024) | none | none |
| #78 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Status Conference as to Zhendi Wang held on 9/26/2024. Motions deadline is set for 11/4/24. Trial estimated to be one week. Jury Trial set for 3/3/2025 09:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Pretrial order to issue. (Attorneys present: AUSA Weinstein, AUSA Panich, Miedel, Mysliwiec. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Kelly Mortellite at mortellite@gmail.com. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #80 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 79 Motion to Exclude time from 11/4/2024 to 3/3/2025as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #81 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. ORDER ON EXCLUDABLE DELAY as to Zhendi Wang. Time excluded from 11/4/24 until 3/3/25. Reason for entry of order on excludable delay: 18 USC 3161(h)(7)(A) Interests of justice. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 09/26/2024) | none | none |
| #84 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 83 Assented to MOTION to Extend Motions Deadlines filed by Zhendi Wang. (McManus, Caetlin) (Entered: 10/22/2024) | none | none |
| #86 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 85 Motion for Rule 11 Hearing as to Zhendi Wang (1). Rule 11 Hearing set for 11/14/2024 11:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Counsel is to contact U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services as soon as possible http://www.map.uscourts.gov/psi-interview-schedule to determine scheduling of the presentence interview. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 10/29/2024) | none | none |
| #90 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Initial Appearance as to Zhendi Wang held on 11/14/2024. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Miedel. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Jessica Leonard at jessicamichaelleonard@gmail.com. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #91 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Waiver of Indictment and Plea to Information as to Zhendi Wang held on 11/14/2024. Interp. sworn. Defendant sworn. Colloquy with defendant regarding educational background, mental health, state of mind, nature of charges and rights, representation of counsel, and plea agreement. Waiver of indictment filed and accepted by the court. Court states maximum penalties. Govt. states elements of the offense and summarizes evidence if case were to go to trial. Plea entered by Zhendi Wang (1) - Guilty Count 1s. Court accepts plea, but defers acceptance of plea agreement until time of sentencing. Sentencing set for 12/13/2024 10:00 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Miedel. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Jessica Leonard at jessicamichaelleonard@gmail.com. Interpreter name: Simon Chan, Language: Mandarin. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 11/15/2024) | none | none |
| #93 desc | Judge Allison D. Burroughs: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 92 Motion for Forfeiture of Property as to Zhendi Wang (1). (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/05/2024) | none | none |
| #98 desc | ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING as to Zhendi Wang. Sentencing reset for 12/16/2024 10:30 AM in Courtroom 17 (In person only) before Judge Allison D. Burroughs. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/11/2024) | none | none |
| #99 desc | Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Allison D. Burroughs: Sentencing held on 12/16/2024 for Zhendi Wang (1), Count(s) 1s. Interp. sworn. Colloquy regarding guidelines and forfeiture. Court accepts the plea agreement. The defendant is sentenced on Count 1s to 20 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons followed by 1 year of supervised release with conditions, no fine, and a $100.00 special assessment. Order of forfeiture to be attached to the judgment. (Attorneys present: AUSA Panich, Mysliwiec. )Court Reporter Name and Contact or digital recording information: Kelly Mortellite at mortellite@gmail.com. Interpreter name: Simon Chan, Language: Mandarin. (Folan, Karen) (Entered: 12/16/2024) | none | none |
| #104 desc | Amend/Correct | none | none |
| #105 desc | Order on Motion to Amend/Correct | none | none |
| #106 desc | Forfeiture of Property | none | none |
| 432410262 desc | Order on Motion for Forfeiture of Property | none | none |
| #108 desc | Judgment of Forfeiture | none | none |
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