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US man 'gave Chinese agent secrets' US man 'gave top-secret information' to Chinese agent
(35 minutes later)
A former US diplomatic officer has been arrested and charged with giving top-secret documents to a Chinese agent.A former US diplomatic officer has been arrested and charged with giving top-secret documents to a Chinese agent.
According to the affidavit, Kevin Mallory, a 60-year-old from Virginia, is said to have travelled to Shanghai in March and April 2017. According to an affidavit, Kevin Mallory, a 60-year-old from Virginia, is said to have travelled to Shanghai in March and April 2017.
He was interviewed by customs agents an airport in Chicago after he failed to declare $16,500 (£13,000) in cash found in two carry-on bags. He also failed to declare $16,500 (£13,000) in cash found in two carry-on bags when travelling through Chicago airport, said the Associated Press.
A senior justice official said the allegations were "serious". Under the federal Espionage Act, he could face life in prison.
"The conduct alleged in this complaint is serious, and these charges should send a message to anyone who would consider violating the public's trust and compromising our national security by disclosing classified information," said Dana J Boente, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security. The FBI has confirmed he was entrusted with high-level clearance when working for the government.
His access was rescinded when he ceased to be a state employee in 2012, after which he became a self-employed consultant.
During a voluntary interview with FBI agents in May, Mr Mallory said the person he met in Shanghai told him he was working for a Chinese think-tank, the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS).
The FBI has, since at least 2014, believed that Chinese spies use SASS affiliations to cover-up their identities, according to the US Department of Justice.
Mr Mallory, who speaks Chinese Mandarin, made an initial appearance in court on Thursday, and will return for a preliminary hearing on Friday.
"These charges should send a message to anyone who would consider violating the public's trust and compromising our national security by disclosing classified information," said Dana J Boente, acting assistant attorney general for national security.