American Journalist Thomas Pauken II Pleads Guilty to Acting as Illegal Agent for China
US journalist Thomas Pauken II pleads guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China
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Thomas Pauken II, an American journalist residing in China since 2010, pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. He faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 1. His case is part of a broader crackdown on individuals accused of working for China without proper disclosure.
- 01Pauken, who also writes under the name Tom McGregor, was arrested after returning to the U.S. in February 2025.
- 02He admitted to receiving $100,000 from Chinese agents for reports intended for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- 03Pauken attempted to recruit a person for the Trump administration to provide classified information to China.
- 04His defense attorney stated that Pauken aimed to promote peaceful relations and religious freedom in China.
- 05The case highlights ongoing U.S. government efforts to address illegal foreign influence and espionage activities.
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Thomas Pauken II, an American journalist who has lived in China since 2010, pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government in a U.S. District Court. The Justice Department announced that Pauken faces a maximum sentence of 10 years, with his sentencing set for September 1. Under the alias Tom McGregor, he has worked for various Chinese state media organizations. Pauken's arrest occurred after he returned to the U.S. in February 2025, where he was found attempting to provide a potential Trump administration appointee with a SIM card and a $10,000 incentive to write reports for Chinese officials. His activities included receiving $100,000 from Chinese agents for reports intended for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pauken's lawyer claimed he intended to foster peaceful relations and religious freedom in China. This case is part of a larger trend of U.S. prosecutions against individuals allegedly working for China without proper registration, following similar cases involving other individuals accused of acting on behalf of the Chinese government.
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Pauken's guilty plea underscores the U.S. government's commitment to countering foreign influence and espionage, impacting how foreign agents operate in the U.S.
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