A US journalist sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for acting as an illegal agent for China
WASHINGTON (AP) — An American journalist has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as an agent of a foreign government within the United States, the U.S. Justice…
An American journalist, Thomas Weir Pauken II, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as an illegal agent for China, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Pauken, 51, pleaded guilty to working with the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) to gather sensitive information and recruit assets. He had worked for various Chinese news organizations, including CCTV and the state news agency Xinhua, from 2010 to 2024.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg stated that Pauken betrayed his country for financial gain. His defense lawyer, Charles Burnham, noted that Pauken did not provide any classified information to China. The case is part of a series of federal prosecutions involving individuals accused of working for the Chinese government without proper disclosure amid high tensions between the U.S. and Beijing.
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