California state senator Yee charged with racketeering in San Francisco Chinatown crime probe

A California state senator charged in a sweeping organized crime and public corruption case centered in San Francisco's Chinatown now also faces a racketeering charge.

A federal grand jury on Friday filed the additional charge against State Sen. Leland Yee. The grand jury says Yee took bribes in exchange for votes in favor of several legislative bills, including one on medical marijuana.

Also charged with racketeering was Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow. The grand jury called a Chinese-American association that Chow allegedly headed, the Ghee Kung Tong, a racketeering enterprise.

Chow previously pleaded not guilty to money laundering and other charges.

Yee also is accused of accepting bribes and attempting to connect an undercover FBI agent with an arms dealer in exchange for cash. He has pleaded not guilty.