By Zoila Palma: An American journalist and political commentator, Thomas Pauken II, has been charged in the United States with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government.
Pauken, who has lived in China for more than a decade, allegedly prepared confidential reports that his Chinese handler claimed were being passed to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.
The affidavit, submitted by FBI Special Agent Timothy Healy, states that Pauken told investigators he consistently refused requests to provide classified material. However, he also allegedly said he was “80 percent sure” that another individual he helped connect with his Chinese handler could supply classified information, despite his warnings against doing so.
That individual, not publicly identified, now works for a U.S. government agency after failing to secure the exact position sought in the Trump administration, Politico reports.
Court records allege Pauken provided a cell phone and laptop to the individual and later offered a $10,000 bonus during a monitored meeting at a Washington hotel.
Prosecutors say he encouraged the person to provide weekly reports intended to influence policy and be seen by Chinese leadership.
Pauken was arrested in February and has remained in custody since, with a federal judge denying his request for pretrial release in March.
The post International News: American Journalist charged with acting as unregistered agent for China appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: An American journalist and political commentator, Thomas Pauken II, has been charged in the United States with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government. Pauken, who has lived in China for more than a decade, allegedly prepared confidential reports that his Chinese handler claimed were being passed to Chinese President
The post International News: American Journalist charged with acting as unregistered agent for China appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.