An American journalist who built a career inside China's state media system is now facing a federal criminal charge in the United States, accused of quietly working on behalf of Beijing while cultivating contacts tied to Washington.
Thomas Pauken II, a political commentator and writer who spent years living in China under the pseudonym Tom McGregor,was arrested by the FBI earlier this yearandcharged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
Prosecutors allege Pauken prepared confidential reports for Chinese intelligence-linked contacts and attempted to connect them with a person seeking work in the Trump administration.
His lawyer insists the allegations are being overstated.
'It's critical to understand that Mr. Pauken is not charged with spying or mishandling classified information,' attorney Charles Burnham said in a statement. 'The government's complaint charges that Mr. Pauken did professional work for a foreign government without first completing certain required paperwork.'
Court documents suggest federal investigators were alarmed enough by Pauken's activities to monitor him for more than a yearbefore finally arresting him in February.For roughly 10 days after Pauken's first court appearance in Virginia, the proceedings remained sealed almost entirely from public view.
According to an FBI affidavit submitted by Special Agent Timothy Healy, Pauken told investigators he was '80 percent sure' an associate he introduced to his Chinese handler would eventually provide classified information to Beijing.
That unnamed individual, according to the affidavit, did not receive the exact Trump administration job initially sought but 'currently works for a US government agency'.
The filing does not identify the person or indicate whether they face criminal exposure. Prosecutors have declined to comment.
Investigators say Pauken maintained contact with individuals connected to China's Ministry of State Security while living abroad and working with state-controlled Chinese media organisations, including China Global Television Network, China Radio International and Xinhua.
Source: International Business Times UK
