More details emerge about Houstonian accusd of spying in China

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Twenty four hours after her story first went public, the plight of Sandy Phan-Gillis is gaining international attention. It has given her husband of 13 years, Jeff Gillis, some hope for a positive outcome.

"I've had an outpouring of support from friends of mine and Sandy's," said Gillis from their modest Southwest Houston home. "It's good to see Sandy's story is being noticed."

Last March, Phan-Gillis took several people on a trade mission to several cities in China. The small delegation included Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, his chief of staff Jerry Peruchini, businessmen Vincent Chau and Gary Ge. The weeklong trip was uneventful. However, on their way out of China, Sandy disappeared.

"As we went through the (immigration) checkpoint we waited for the rest of the group to catch up, she never showed," recalled Gonzalez. "We thought maybe she went left and we went right."

The group continued on to their hotels. Chau waited for Phan-Gillis, but when she did not appear, he also continued on.

Those who attended the trip say it was organized by Phan-Gillis in an effort to drum up interest in the old Sharpstown Mall property in southwest Houston. Several Chinese business interests, including those led by Ge, were interested in redeveloping a portion of the mall into commercial showroom space to showcase Chinese-made products.

"It was just bizarre. We had just finished up a week long business development trip. Everything went without any problems, nothing to raise any problems at all," said Gonzalez. "Sandy's done a lot to build Houston, Chinese relationships."

Recently, Mayor Annise Parker even wrote the Chinese government, asking for her release:

"I write to respectfully request that consideration be given to expedite Sandy's case within Chinese law so that she may return as soon as possible to family and loved ones."

The Houston Chinese Consulate replied on Monday:

"The relevant authorities of China will deal with her case in accordance with the law. We hope that the U.S. side can respect it."

Phan-Gillis is the current President of the Shenzhen-Houston Sister Cities organization, and has made frequent trips to China.

"In my mind, there is zero possibility (that she may have spied,)" said Ellen Goldberg, immediate Past President of the Houston Sister Cities organization. "She's always been a promoter of China. She's been very good."