Defendant in Yee Case Claims Anti-Chinese Racism

A lawyer for Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow, the alleged Chinatown gang boss involved in the federal case that snagged State Sen. Leland Yee, claims that his client is a victim of “unadulterated racism” by the government.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

“They wanted him to open a restaurant, like the Mafia does, to process cash and launder it. He refused,” the veteran defense lawyer said.

The investigation was fueled, he contended, by “unadulterated racism,” an effort to show that “Chinese gangsters … control Chinatown.”

Chow, who previously portrayed himself as a reformed criminal, hasreceived numerous honors from California politicians. However, the FBI affidavit against him alleges that at least one of those honors, which was arranged by Sen. Yee, was linked to the allegedly corrupt conspiracy in which he and several others have been charged.