American Admits to Spying for Chinese Intelligence

An American citizen has confessed to operating on behalf of Chinese intelligence operatives, gathering information on U.S. targets and attempting infiltration into American political circles. Federal authorities have reported this development involving Thomas Weir Pauken II, aged 50, who pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent for the People’s Republic of China.

FBI Warns of Chinese Espionage Efforts

The FBI issued a cautionary statement highlighting the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party is willing to go to collect intelligence and exert influence within the United States. FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky emphasized Pauken’s role in infiltrating U.S. political circles at the behest of China’s Ministry of State Security, gathering intelligence on American individuals and reporting to Chinese handlers.

Prosecutors Outline Pauken’s Activities

According to federal prosecutors, Pauken cultivated relationships with contacts based in China. These contacts instructed him to identify and recruit individuals in the U.S. who could provide valuable information to Chinese intelligence services. Court filings revealed that Pauken acted as a go-between for these contacts and U.S.-based individuals, facilitating communication and transferring gathered intelligence.

Pauken reportedly received over $100,000 for his espionage efforts and made several trips between China and the U.S. over multiple years.

Additional Charges and Investigations

Prosecutors disclosed that Pauken also conducted research and reported to other China-based contacts believed to be aligned with the Chinese government. Investigators noted that he delivered insights to a group in Wuhan seeking expertise in American technology and Justice Department operations, aiming to support cyber activities.

Further details indicate that a former CIA officer was sentenced for sharing Top Secret intelligence with China, emphasizing persistent espionage threats to American institutions.

FBI’s Response to Espionage

“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,” said Roman Rozhavsky. “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 is awaiting sentencing on September 1, facing a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, with the final sentence to be determined by a judge.

The FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington field offices conducted the investigation. Greg Wehner, a reporter for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.