American Pleads Guilty to Acting as Agent for Chinese Intelligence
An American citizen has confessed to collaborating with Chinese intelligence operatives over several years, aiding their efforts to gather information on U.S. targets and infiltrate American political circles, federal authorities report.
Thomas Weir Pauken II, aged 50, admitted to charges of acting in the United States as an agent for the People’s Republic of China without informing the attorney general. The Department of Justice made the announcement following Pauken’s guilty plea.
The case elicited a stern warning from the FBI. “By his own admission, not only did Thomas Pauken attempt to infiltrate U.S. political circles at the direction of China’s Ministry of State Security, but he gathered intelligence on his American targets and reported it back to his Chinese intelligence handlers,” stated FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Pauken cultivated relationships with several contacts in China who directed him to identify and build connections with individuals in the United States possessing valuable information for Chinese intelligence services.
Court documents disclose Pauken’s role as a go-between for these contacts and individuals in the U.S., facilitating communications and passing along gathered intelligence.
Authorities allege Pauken received over $100,000 for his activities, making frequent trips between China and the U.S. as part of the operation.
Prosecutors further indicated Pauken conducted research and reporting for China-based contacts he believed to have government affiliations. He shared information with a Wuhan-based group interested in insights into American technology and resources related to cyber operations.
This case is not isolated, highlighting broader concerns as evidenced by recent developments: Chinese espionage efforts have sparked alarm on Capitol Hill, following indications of surveillance activity in Cuba.
“This case illustrates the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine our democratic institutions and degrade our political freedoms, but it also demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to defend the homeland from threats to our national security,” Rozhavsky emphasized. “Let this plea serve as a clear warning: If you attempt to help a foreign adversary as an unregistered agent in the U.S., the FBI will find you and bring you to justice.”
Pauken awaits sentencing on September 1, facing a potential 10-year federal prison term, subject to a judge’s discretion.
The FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington field offices conducted the investigation. Greg Wehner, a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital, documented the unfolding story.