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Former Official Pleads Guilty to Chinese Espionage, Faces 10 Years

6/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Thomas Pauken II pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal Chinese espionage and faces ten years at sentencing on Sept. 1.
He took $100,000 for reports to “Cathy,” who said President Xi would read them, and provided a Trump job-seeker a SIM card and $10,000 for reports.
He failed to register under the Registration Act while giving Chinese clients data and selling reports to Wuhan buyers seeking tech and DOJ info.

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Story summary

Thomas Pauken II pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal Chinese espionage and faces ten years at sentencing on Sept. 1.
He took $100,000 for reports to “Cathy,” who said President Xi would read them, and provided a Trump job-seeker a SIM card and $10,000 for reports.
He failed to register under the Registration Act while giving Chinese clients data and selling reports to Wuhan buyers seeking tech and DOJ info.