US journalist pleads guilty to working as agent for China

An American journalist has admitted to illegally gathering US state security information for China. Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty in a US court on Thursday to conspiring to obtain sensitive information for the rival power.

“

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.

Pauken has been living and working in China since 2010, previously working for Chinese media organizations like CCTV and Xinhua News. Documents show that from at least 2019 until February this year, he worked under the direction of individuals he knew were employed by the PRC.

He acted as an intermediary, facilitating communications and relaying information from US targets to China. Court documents revealed he was paid over $100,000 for his work. He reportedly worked with contacts like "Cathy," who provided him with tasks, including meeting potential intelligence assets. He also collaborated with "William" and "Richard" in China, and shared information about the US Department of Justice with a group from Wuhan, assisting them in finding an expert for cyber espionage.

“

This case illustrates the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine our democratic institutions and degrade our political freedoms. Still, it also demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to defend the homeland from threats to our national security.

Pauken, 50, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, with sentencing set for September 1. The FBI issued a strong warning following the plea, with Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stating the case underscores the Chinese Communist Party's determination to pursue intelligence and influence operations within the US. Rozhavsky emphasized the FBI's resolve to defend national security and warned that unregistered agents working for foreign adversaries will be brought to justice.

“

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.