An American journalist, Thomas Weir Pauken II, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government within the United States. The U.S. Justice Department announced the sentencing, stating that Pauken also received 36 months of supervised release and is barred from overseas travel.
Pauken, 51, was arrested in February and admitted to working under the direction of individuals he knew were affiliated with China’s government, including a contact identified as “Cathy.” According to court documents, Pauken engaged in these activities from at least 2019 until his arrest in February 2026. He was reportedly paid at least $100,000 for his work, which involved gathering information and recruiting individuals to provide sensitive data.
The Justice Department detailed that Pauken betrayed his country for financial gain, supporting operations of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Pauken’s actions included recruiting and gathering sensitive information from potential assets.
Pauken had relocated to China in 2010 and worked for various Chinese news organizations, including the state broadcaster CCTV and, most recently, as an editor for Xinhua, China’s state news agency, a position he held since 2024. His defense lawyer, Charles Burnham, indicated that Pauken accepts responsibility and respects the court’s decision, adding that the government acknowledged Pauken did not provide any classified information to the Chinese.
Court documents revealed that “Cathy” informed Pauken that his reports were being read by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The FBI affidavit filed by Special Agent Timothy J. Healy also noted that “Cathy” often covered Pauken’s travel expenses to the U.S. and a family vacation to Shanghai. Pauken and his wife were reportedly able to purchase two apartments in China valued at approximately $400,000 due to these payments.
The case is part of a broader trend of federal prosecutions involving individuals accused of working for foreign governments without proper disclosure, occurring amidst ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing. Prosecutors highlighted that Pauken’s earnings allowed him and his wife to acquire significant assets in China.
While Pauken’s attorney stated that his client did not provide classified information, the plea agreement and sentencing reflect his guilty plea to acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The FBI arrested Pauken at a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport the night before he was scheduled to return to China.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
