Archive · 3 Sep 2026
US Journalist Thomas Pauken Gets Two-Year Sentence as Chinese Agent
Thomas Pauken is an American journalist who worked with Chinese media organizations.
US prosecutors said he secretly worked for people connected to China’s government.
They said he wrote reports, recruited people, and helped support intelligence activities.
Pauken received at least $100,000 for this work.
He was also asked to help someone who might provide classified information to China.
Pauken pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.
His lawyer said Pauken accepted responsibility and would not appeal.
The lawyer also said Pauken never gave China classified information.
Pauken must serve three years of supervised release after prison and cannot travel overseas during that period.
Thomas Weir Pauken II, 51, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as an undeclared agent of the Chinese government.
Pauken pleaded guilty, will not appeal, and received 36 months of supervised release with a ban on overseas travel.
Prosecutors said he supported Chinese Ministry of State Security operations, recruited potential sources, and gathered sensitive information for at least $100,000.
Court documents say he was asked to help a potential recruit obtain classified information, but his lawyer said Pauken provided no classified information to China.
Pauken worked for Chinese media organizations, including China Central Television and Xinhua News Agency, and was arrested in February.
- Who
- Thomas Weir Pauken II, an American journalist, was sentenced after pleading guilty; US prosecutors and his defense lawyer provided statements.
- What
- Pauken was sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as an undeclared agent of the Chinese government and supporting intelligence operations.
- When
- The sentence was announced on a Tuesday; Pauken was arrested in February, and the alleged activity lasted from at least 2019 until February 2026.
- Where
- The case was prosecuted in the United States; Pauken had worked in China and was stopped by US Customs and Border Protection when returning to the United States in January 2025.
- Why
- Prosecutors said he acted for people connected to China’s Ministry of State Security, recruiting potential sources and gathering sensitive information in exchange for money.
Prosecution’s allegations
Defense’s position
Role for China
Prosecution’s allegations
The Justice Department said Pauken acted as an undeclared Chinese government agent, supported Ministry of State Security operations, recruited people, and gathered sensitive information for money.
Defense’s position
Pauken pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility, but his lawyer emphasized that the government agreed he did not provide classified information to China.
Recruitment and classified information
Prosecution’s allegations
Court documents say Pauken was instructed to meet a potential recruit and provide equipment, communication credentials, and access tools to help obtain classified information.
Defense’s position
According to the affidavit, Pauken told investigators he was 80 percent sure the person might provide classified information, while also saying he advised that person not to do so.
- Prison sentence
- Two years in federal prison
- Supervised release
- 36 months, with no overseas travel
- Plea and appeal
- Pauken pleaded guilty and does not plan to appeal
- Payments
- At least $100,000, including transfers to his wife’s bank accounts
- Media work
- Worked for China Central Television and Xinhua News Agency
- Alleged activity
- From at least 2019 until February 2026
- Arrest
- Arrested in February after earlier questioning by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI