Feds say US citizen gathered information on American targets for Chinese Communist Party
Thomas Pauken II pleaded guilty to acting as a Chinese intelligence agent, allegedly gathering info on U.S. targets and infiltrating political circles.
TL;DR
- Thomas Weir Pauken II, 50, pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the People's Republic of China without notifying the attorney general.
- Pauken admitted to gathering intelligence on U.S. targets and reporting it back to Chinese intelligence handlers.
- He attempted to infiltrate U.S. political circles at the direction of China's Ministry of State Security.
- Pauken acted as an intermediary, facilitating communications and relaying information between Chinese contacts and individuals in the U.S.
- He allegedly received over $100,000 for his efforts and made repeated trips between China and the U.S.
- Pauken provided information to a group in Wuhan seeking insights into American technology and the Justice Department.
- He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.