American journalist Thomas Pauken II was convicted of espionage on behalf of China. American authorities discovered that he worked for Chinese state media outlets CCTV and Xinhua, using these positions to carry out intelligence activities for Beijing.
According to the charges, Pauken received at least $100,000 from Chinese intelligence. In exchange, he was responsible for recruiting agents and collecting sensitive information for Chinese intelligence services.
The case represents a rare example of an American citizen tried and convicted for espionage activities on behalf of China. American authorities considered the evidence sufficient to support the conviction.
Thomas Pauken II pleaded guilty to the charges and did not appeal the sentence, accepting the consequences of the trial without contest.
