A journalist accredited to the United States Congress has pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government, in a case that has deepened concerns about foreign espionage within Washington’s political establishment. The defendant, identified as a dual national of the United States and China, admitted in federal court to covertly gathering information on dissidents and transmitting it to Chinese intelligence operatives. The plea, entered on Monday before a judge in the District of Columbia, marks the culmination of a two-year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court documents reveal that the journalist, who worked for a state-linked media outlet, used press credentials to access classified briefings and cultivate sources on Capitol Hill. Prosecutors said the individual received payments totalling more than $150,000 for providing reports on the activities of Chinese exile groups and critical lawmakers. The case has reignited debates about the susceptibility of American democratic institutions to foreign influence.
Legal analysts note that the plea carries a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, though cooperation with authorities may reduce the term. The journalist’s lawyer declined to comment following the hearing. The sentencing is scheduled for late November.
