India, June 5 -- An American citizen, Thomas Weir Pauken II, accused of secretly working on behalf of the Chinese government, has pleaded guilty in the case. Pauken, 50, admitted in federal court to acting as an agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) without notifying the U.S. government, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said, "His actions are a betrayal of this Nation and pose an unacceptable risk to our national security. NSD remains committed to safeguarding information essential to our national security, including through appropriate prosecution."

"This case illustrates the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine our demo...