Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty in a US court to acting as an illegal agent for China, admitting to working under the direction of Chinese officials from at least 2019 until February 2026. [1, 2, 3]
Pauken, 50, gathered intelligence on American targets and reported it to Chinese intelligence handlers. He made repeated trips between China and the US as part of his work for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). [1, 3]
He was compensated at least $100,000 by his Chinese handlers and had travel expenses paid amounting to around $7,500 per trip. [1, 2, 3] Chinese contacts who directed his activities included individuals codenamed "Cathy," "William," and "Richard." Cathy provided taskings, equipment, identified targets, and covered his travel expenses. [1, 2]
Pauken worked for several Chinese media organizations including China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International, and China Global Television Network. He relocated to Hong Kong around 2010 and began working for China Radio International. [1, 2]
In addition to political intelligence, Pauken provided information to a group based in Wuhan interested in US technology and sought expertise to assist in cyber espionage efforts. [1, 3]
Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI said the case shows "the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine our democratic institutions and degrade our political freedoms." He added, "By his own admission, not only did Thomas Pauken attempt to infiltrate U.S. political circles at the direction of China's Ministry of State Security, but he gathered intelligence on his American targets and reported it back to his Chinese intelligence handlers." [1, 3]
Pauken’s attorney Charles Burnham said his client accepted responsibility and was trying to "promote peaceful relations and advance the cause of religious freedom in China." [1]
Pauken faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced in US court on September 1, 2026. [1, 2]
