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Ex-CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee held over secret records Ex-CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee held 'in China spying case'
(about 1 hour later)
A former CIA officer has been arrested in the US on charges of unlawful retention of classified information.A former CIA officer has been arrested in the US on charges of unlawful retention of classified information.
Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a naturalised US citizen, was held at New York's JFK airport on Monday, the US justice department said.Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a naturalised US citizen, was held at New York's JFK airport on Monday, the US justice department said.
He worked for the CIA between 1994 and 2007, when he left for Hong Kong.He worked for the CIA between 1994 and 2007, when he left for Hong Kong.
The case is thought to be linked to an FBI investigation. which began in 2012, into the crippling of the CIA's spy operation in China. The case is thought to be linked to an FBI investigation, which began in 2012, into the crippling of the CIA's spy operation in China.
In the two years prior, some 20 informants had been killed or jailed - one of the most disastrous failures of US intelligence in recent years. In the two years before, some 20 informants had been killed or jailed - one of the most disastrous failures of US intelligence in recent years.
But officials did not know whether to blame a mole or data hack.But officials did not know whether to blame a mole or data hack.
Reports say investigators now suspect Mr Lee of helping China.
Who is Jerry Chun Shing Lee?
Mr Lee, also known as Zhen Cheng Li, served in the US Army from 1982-86, say court documents.
He began his CIA career in 1994 as a case officer. He was given top secret clearance and signed several non-disclosure agreements.
When Mr Lee left the CIA in 2007, "those who knew him said he left the agency disgruntled after his career plateaued", reported the New York Times.When Mr Lee left the CIA in 2007, "those who knew him said he left the agency disgruntled after his career plateaued", reported the New York Times.
Mr Lee remained in Hong Kong and only returned to America in 2012 - according to one report, lured by a fake job offer.Mr Lee remained in Hong Kong and only returned to America in 2012 - according to one report, lured by a fake job offer.
At that time, the US justice department said in a statement, FBI agents searched his hotel rooms in Hawaii and Virginia and found two small books with secret records. What happened during that visit?
The FBI's investigation into why the US was losing so many informants in China was by this point in full swing.
FBI agents searched his hotel rooms in Hawaii and Virginia and found two small books with secret records, the US justice department says.
They contained handwritten notes on details such as "true names and phone numbers of assets and covert CIA employees".They contained handwritten notes on details such as "true names and phone numbers of assets and covert CIA employees".
Mr Lee left the US in 2013, however, and has only now been detained while on another visit. Mr Lee left the US in 2013 after, the New York Times reports, being questioned by FBI agents.
The statement says that Mr Lee, 53, has been charged "with unlawful retention of national defence information and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, if convicted". He has only now been detained while on another visit.
Mr Lee, also known as Zhen Cheng Li, began his CIA career as a case officer, maintained a top secret clearance and signed non-disclosure agreements. It's unclear whether he knew he was still under suspicion.
He has made no public comments on the issue. What has he been charged with?
The justice department says that Mr Lee, 53, has been charged "with unlawful retention of national defence information and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, if convicted".
He has not been charged with espionage, which can carry the death penalty - with some reports suggesting the US may not want to reveal secret information in court.
Mr Lee appeared in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday after being arrested at JFK. He is being held there while awaiting transfer to Virginia, where a federal court has brought the charges against him.