When a Maoist tech millionaire falls in love with a radical activist, one might expect an unconventional love story. Instead, what has emerged is a sprawling network of influence alleged to be amplifying the Chinese Communist Party’s messaging across the globe.
At the center of this controversy stand Neville Roy Singham and Jodie Evans - a couple whose wealth, ideology, and activism have drawn the attention of investigators from Washington to New Delhi. Together, they are accused of using their vast resources and activist networks to promote pro-Beijing narratives under the guise of progressive causes.
From Software Mogul to Political Operator
Singham, once a successful software entrepreneur, made his fortune selling his company for millions in 2017. That same year, he married Jodie Evans, a lifelong left-wing activist best known as co-founder of the protest group Code Pink. Soon after, Singham began channeling his wealth into a labyrinth of nonprofit organizations, foundations, and media outlets that share ideological ties with his own radical beliefs.
A self-described Marxist-Leninist with a long history in Detroit’s far-left circles, Singham has for decades attracted scrutiny from U.S. authorities for his involvement with groups seen as hostile to American interests. His recent ventures, however, appear to operate on a much larger, transnational scale.
The Shanghai Connection
According to multiple investigations, Singham’s operations are closely linked to Chinese state-aligned entities. His Shanghai office reportedly shares space with groups associated with the Chinese Communist Party, which promotes what Beijing calls “smokeless war” - the strategic use of culture, activism, and media to shape global opinion in China’s favor.
Through a network of shell companies and nonprofits, Singham has allegedly financed organizations that promote narratives sympathetic to China and antagonistic to Western democracies. These groups often present themselves as grassroots movements or independent media outlets, masking what critics describe as a coordinated propaganda effort.
A Web of Activism and Influence
Singham’s foundations have supported a number of organizations active in anti-Western and anti-Israeli protests, including The People’s Forum, a New York-based group that has played a central role in organizing pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the United States. Similar funding trails have surfaced in India, where authorities accuse Singham of bankrolling media outlets such as NewsClick and Breakthrough News, both investigated for disseminating Chinese and Russian propaganda.
The alleged network extends across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, forming what some analysts call the “International People’s Media Network.” This coalition pushes content that consistently undermines Western policies while portraying China as a stabilizing global force.
Evans, Singham’s wife, remains a prominent figure in radical activist circles. Through Code Pink, she has long positioned herself as an anti-war campaigner. Yet critics point to her organization’s history of defending the Chinese regime and downplaying its human rights abuses. Code Pink representatives have been frequent visitors to China and have publicly praised its policies, behavior that some see as evidence of political alignment with Beijing’s interests.
Growing Global Scrutiny
The scale and coordination of these efforts have alarmed governments around the world. In the United States, lawmakers such as Senator Marco Rubio have warned of “Communist China’s efforts to sow discord in the U.S.,” specifically citing Singham’s role. In India, police raids on NewsClick and affiliated organizations have intensified scrutiny of foreign-funded activism operating under the banner of social justice.
While the full extent of Singham and Evans’ network remains unclear, mounting evidence suggests a sophisticated campaign that blends ideology, philanthropy, and influence. In an era when disinformation can travel faster than truth, their story raises pressing questions about how foreign powers may exploit activism and media to undermine the West from within.
For now, one thing seems certain: this is no ordinary love story.
Heike Claudia Petzer
Content Writer
