An American citizen, Thomas Weir Pauken II, has confessed to working as an agent for Chinese intelligence within the United States. His activities included gathering information on U.S. targets and attempting to infiltrate political circles. This was confirmed by federal authorities.
On Thursday, Pauken, 50, pleaded guilty to operating as an agent of the People’s Republic of China without informing the attorney general, according to the Department of Justice.
FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky warned that this case illustrates the extent to which the Chinese Communist Party seeks to collect intelligence and exert influence within the U.S.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Pauken had multiple contacts based in China. He was tasked with identifying and recruiting individuals in the United States who could provide significant information to Chinese intelligence services. Court documents indicate that Pauken served as a conduit between these contacts and U.S. individuals, facilitating communications and providing collected information on American targets to his Chinese handlers.
Pauken reportedly received over $100,000 for his efforts. He made numerous trips between China and the U.S. over several years as part of this operation.
Additionally, Pauken prepared research for other contacts he believed were linked to the Chinese government. This included providing information to a Wuhan-based group interested in American technology and expertise for cyber operations.
Rozhavsky stated that the case serves as a stark reminder that foreign intelligence agencies continue to target American institutions. He emphasized the FBI’s commitment to defending against threats to national security.
“If you attempt to assist a foreign adversary as an unregistered agent in the U.S., the FBI will find and prosecute you,” Rozhavsky declared.
Pauken is set to be sentenced on September 1. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with the final decision to be made by a judge.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington field offices.
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