A U.S. citizen who lived and worked in China has pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the Chinese government inside the United States, according to the Department of Justice.
Thomas Weir Pauken II, 50, admitted in federal court to operating under the direction and control of individuals connected to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from at least 2019 through February 2026. Prosecutors allege his activities were tied to China’s primary civilian intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS).
According to court documents, Pauken worked with a Chinese intelligence contact identified as “Cathy,” whom he met in 2017. Authorities said Cathy assigned Pauken tasks that included meeting potential intelligence assets in the United States, providing them with communication devices, relaying information requests, and reporting the results back to his handlers.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said Pauken effectively admitted participating in a conspiracy to obtain sensitive information from the U.S. government on behalf of the PRC.
Federal prosecutors said Pauken received at least $100,000 for his work and that Chinese handlers paid for multiple trips between China and the United States between 2019 and 2025. During those visits, Pauken allegedly met with individuals who could provide information of interest to Chinese intelligence officials.
Authorities also allege Pauken worked for two additional contacts in China known as “Richard” and “William.” Although they told him his reports were destined for Japan, court filings state Pauken believed they were working for the Chinese government.
In addition, Pauken admitted selling reports to a group of individuals based in Wuhan, China. According to prosecutors, those clients sought information related to technology and the U.S. Department of Justice and expressed interest in finding an expert capable of assisting with cyber espionage activities.
FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky said the case demonstrates efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to cultivate sources and gather intelligence within the United States.
The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Pauken is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge after considering advisory guidelines and other statutory factors.
A guilty plea represents an admission of guilt, though the final sentence has not yet been imposed by the court.
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