Authorities say California State Senator Leland Yee is a corrupt politician who sold political favors, bragged about a friendship with an arms dealer, and attempted to broker a multi-million dollar weapons sale with an undercover FBI agent.

Yee was arrested today with a number of other defendants, including the long-prosecuted Raymond Chow, aka "Shrimp Boy," leader of San Francisco's Ghee Kung Tong organization. Chow was indicted on charges of money laundering, conspiracy to receive and transport stolen property, and conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes.

Police say that while Yee was publicly speaking out against firearms and introducing gun control bills, he and his campaign manager, Keith Jackson, were privately meeting with undercover agents and offering to facilitate a multi-million dollar automatic weapons sale.

Keith Jackson said he had spoken to Senator Yee about setting up a meeting with a weapons trafficker. According to Keith Jackson, Senator Yee was going to call the trafficker the same day. Keith Jackson also advised that Senator Yee had an unidentified Filipino associate who was supplying "heavy" weapons to rebel groups in the Philippines.

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Senator Yee explained he has known the arms dealer for a number of years and has developed a close relationship with him.

Authorities say Yee also attempted to pull bureaucratic strings for multiple undercover FBI agents posing as potential donors.

[image via AP]