American commentator charged as unregistered Chinese agent

An American political commentator who lived and worked in China for more than a decade has been charged with acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government, according to federal court documents. Thomas Pauken II was arrested in Virginia in February following a multi-year investigation.

The allegations, detailed in an FBI affidavit, state that Pauken prepared confidential reports for a Chinese handler who claimed the material would be passed to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Prosecutors say Pauken also facilitated contact between his Chinese associates and an individual in the United States who was seeking employment in the Trump administration. According to the affidavit, Pauken delivered a cell phone and laptop to that person to enable encrypted communication with a contact in China known as "Cathy."

The unnamed individual, who was not hired for the specific Trump administration role sought, currently works for a U.S. government agency. The affidavit alleges Pauken told investigators he believed there was an 80 percent chance this person would provide classified information to China, despite claiming he warned against it. Pauken himself allegedly refused requests from...