American journalist charged in Virginia with acting as an unregistered agent for China

American journalist Thomas Pauken II faces federal charges in Virginia

Thomas Weir Pauken II, an American journalist living in China for over a decade, was charged with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia unsealed court documents outlining his alleged seven-year work for Beijing intelligence operatives.

The criminal complaint alleges he operated under the direction of China’s Ministry of State Security while cultivating US contacts, including someone seeking a Trump administration role. This case represents significant national security concerns about foreign influence operations within the United States.

Pauken worked for multiple Chinese state-run media organizations

Pauken moved to China around 2010 and worked for several state-backed media outlets, including China Radio International, China Central Television, and China Global Television Network. He later joined another news agency described as the official state news agency of the People’s Republic of China.

His journalism career provided cover for alleged intelligence activities while building sources and contacts inside the United States government. Prosecutors say this media work facilitated his unauthorized representation of Chinese government interests.

Handler known as Cathy, directed Pauken’s alleged activities

FBI Special Agent Timothy J. Healy’s affidavit identifies Pauken’s alleged handler as “Cathy,” who allegedly assigned him tasks that included meeting potential sources, delivering communication devices, collecting information and sending reports back to China. Investigators said Pauken met Cathy around 2017 after being introduced by a man described as one of Xi Jinping’s speechwriters.

The affidavit says Cathy primarily communicated with Pauken through WeChat, Signal, Telegram or in person. Prosecutors allege Pauken knew or believed Cathy was connected to China’s Ministry of State Security, while the case remains based on allegations pending in court.

Charges filed under Section 951 of US criminal code

The charges were filed under Section 951 of the US criminal code, which prohibits individuals from acting as agents of foreign governments without notifying the Attorney General. Prosecutors confirmed Justice Department records showed no indication that Pauken registered as a Chinese government agent.

This felony charge carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison and is considered more severe than the Foreign Agents Registration Act violation. The government alleges Pauken performed professional services for China without completing the required paperwork.

Pauken admitted conspiracy to obtain classified information

Investigators claim Pauken confessed during voluntary FBI interviews that his activities formed part of a conspiracy to obtain classified information from the United States government. He allegedly told investigators he was 80 percent sure an associate would pass classified information to Chinese contacts.

This associate was linked to the incoming Trump administration and reportedly sought a role within it, according to court documents. Pauken’s admission represents crucial evidence in the government’s case against him.

Received approximately $100,000 dollars for reports to China

Prosecutors claimed Pauken received approximately 100,000 dollars in exchange for reports and assignments that his Chinese handler claimed were sent to President Xi Jinping. Court filings indicate he made numerous all-expenses-paid visits to the US between 2019 and 2025.

According to the affidavit, Cathy told Pauken that his reports would be read by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Those payment and travel allegations are part of the government’s broader claim that Pauken acted as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

Arrested in February 2026 and held in custody since

In February 2026, Pauken was arrested by the FBI and later remained in custody after a judge denied pretrial release. Reports based on court records said he was scheduled for a pre-indictment plea hearing in the Eastern District of Virginia.

His arrest followed an investigation into allegations that he acted under the direction of China-linked contacts without notifying the U.S. Attorney General. Pauken has not been charged with espionage or mishandling classified information, according to statements from his attorney reported by Politico and other outlets.

Arrived in Washington Dulles with multiple devices and cash

Court documents said Pauken arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport in January 2025 carrying two cellphones, a laptop and $3,000 in cash. Authorities questioned him about his China-related activities and plans in the United States, according to reporting based on the affidavit.

Federal filings later alleged Pauken provided or planned to provide communications equipment to a U.S.-based contact connected to the Trump administration. Those device-related allegations form part of the government’s broader claim that he acted as an unregistered agent for China-linked contacts.

Offered a bonus to the associate for continued cooperation

Prosecutors alleged that Pauken offered an associate identified only as Person 1 a 10,000-dollar bonus to resume cooperating with Cathy. He claimed the reports produced would influence policy discussions and be read directly by Xi Jinping.

This financial incentive demonstrates Pauken’s active recruitment efforts to expand his network of US sources for Chinese intelligence. The bonus offer reveals the systematic nature of his alleged operations.

Lawyer says client not charged with espionage

Pauken’s lawyer, Charles Burnham, told Politico that his client had not been charged with spying or mishandling classified information. Burnham said the complaint focused on allegations that Pauken performed work for a foreign government without completing required registration paperwork.

The defense is expected to respond to the government’s allegations in court as the case proceeds. The distinction matters because the current charge concerns alleged unregistered foreign-agent activity, not a formal espionage or classified-materials offense.

FBI instructed Pauken to continue engaging contacts

The affidavit said the FBI later instructed Pauken to continue engaging with his contacts while warning him not to seek or transfer classified information. This apparently occurred as part of an ongoing monitoring operation by federal investigators.

Law enforcement allowed Pauken to maintain contact with sources while gathering evidence against him and his network. This investigative tactic helped prosecutors build their case before making charges public.

Fun fact: People are only removed from the Most Wanted list of the FBI if they are captured, die, or if charges against them are dropped.

Cultivated contacts, including the Trump administration aspirant

Pauken is accused of operating under the direction of individuals connected to China’s Ministry of State Security while cultivating contacts in the United States. One contact was reportedly seeking a role in the Trump administration, according to court documents.

This political connection raised significant national security concerns about potential foreign influence in the incoming administration. Prosecutors view this contact as evidence of Pauken’s broader intelligence-gathering objectives.

Trade and supply chain pressures are also shaping the U.S. economy, with rising construction costs pushing some Americans to rely on imported building materials from China.

National security concerns about foreign influence operations

This case represents significant national security concerns about foreign influence operations within the United States by Chinese intelligence operatives. Federal prosecutors allege Pauken worked under the direction and control of Chinese-linked handlers since at least 2019.

The charges highlight ongoing efforts by foreign governments to recruit American citizens for unauthorized representation and information gathering. This case underscores the importance of compliance with foreign agent registration laws.

U.S.–China tensions are also in focus as families of two Americans jailed in China urge Donald Trump to push for their release.

Do you believe cases involving unregistered foreign agents are being taken seriously enough? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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