Former Federal Reserve Adviser Sentenced for Lying About China Contacts

John Harold Rogers, a 64-year-old former senior adviser to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, was sentenced on July 15, 2026 to 38 months in federal prison. The conviction, rendered on Feb. 3, 2026, was for making false statements to investigators about sharing non-public monetary-policy information with Chinese intelligence operatives. He was acquitted of a separate charge of conspiracy to commit economic espionage.

Bloomberg

Rogers, who holds a Ph.D. in economics and advised the Fed’s Division of International Finance from 2010 to 2021, allegedly began responding to “information requests” from individuals posing as graduate students in 2018. Prosecutors say a clandestine relationship with a Chinese intelligence operative started in 2017, leading to meetings in Chinese hotel rooms where Rogers supplied restricted data. The alleged scheme spanned from May 2013 until 2025, and in 2023 Rogers received about $450,000 for part-time teaching at a Chinese university.

Bloomberg

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the sentencing, noting the conviction for false statements. Michael E. Horowitz, inspector general for the Board of Governors and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said Rogers “deliberately lied to our investigators to conceal the fact he shared restricted non-public Federal Reserve information with intelligence agents working for China.” Defense attorney Jonathan Gitlen expressed disappointment, arguing the term exceeds sentences imposed on comparable defendants.

Bloomberg

Gitlen’s criticism highlights a perceived disparity in sentencing, suggesting the 38-month term is “significantly higher than other defendants received in similar cases.” No additional governmental or institutional objections were recorded in the available reports.

Bloomberg

• “John Rogers deliberately lied to our investigators to conceal the fact he shared restricted non-public Federal Reserve information with intelligence agents working for China,” — Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General

Bloomberg

• “While we certainly appreciate the care the judge took, we’re disappointed in the 38-month sentence,” — Jonathan Gitlen, Defense Attorney

Bloomberg

• “Never.” — John Harold Rogers, in response to the Fed Office of Inspector General’s 2020 interview

Bloomberg

The case underscores ongoing U.S. concerns about foreign intelligence seeking access to sensitive economic data.

Bloomberg