An American admitted to aiding Chinese intelligence operatives for years, gathering data on U.S. targets and attempting to infiltrate American political circles, as per federal authorities. Thomas Weir Pauken II, aged 50, pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of China without informing the Attorney General, announced the Department of Justice.
The FBI issued a warning, highlighting the extent the Chinese Communist Party goes to gather intelligence and influence activities within the U.S. FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stated, “Thomas Pauken admitted to attempting infiltration of U.S. political circles following the direction of China’s Ministry of State Security and reported intelligence collected on American targets to his Chinese handlers.”
According to federal prosecutors, Pauken maintained ties with numerous China-based contacts who tasked him with spotting and developing U.S. residents capable of providing intelligence of interest. Court documents reveal Pauken as an intermediary, facilitating dialogue and information transfer between foreign contacts and individuals in the U.S.
Authorities allege Pauken received over $100,000 for his work and traveled frequently between China and the U.S. during the operation. He reportedly conducted research and prepared reports for Chinese contacts he perceived as government-affiliated.
Pauken also supplied information to a group in Wuhan focused on American technology and the Justice Department, showing interest in finding expertise for supporting cyber operations. This case follows the sentencing of a former CIA officer to prison for offering Top Secret intelligence to China.
Rozhavsky remarked on the continuous efforts of foreign intelligence to target American institutions. “This case shows how far the Chinese Communist Party is prepared to undermine our democratic institutions and freedoms. It also reaffirms the FBI’s determination to protect national security,” he noted. Rozhavsky underscored, “Let this plea serve as a direct warning: aiding a foreign adversary in the U.S. unregistered will lead to justice.”
Pauken faces sentencing on Sept. 1, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His final sentence remains to be decided by a judge. The FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington field offices investigated the case.