Ex-CIA officer Kevin Mallory convicted of selling secrets to China for US$25,000 despite claims he was a triple-agent
The Chinese gave Mallory a Samsung cellphone for covert communication that was activated with the password ‘password’, and which failed to delete incriminating messages
A former CIA officer was convicted Friday on charges he spied for China by providing top secret information in exchange for US$25,000.
Kevin Mallory, 61, of Leesburg, faces up to life in prison, although federal sentences are often less than the maximum. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 21.
Mallory was charged under the Espionage Act last year after he was discovered with more than US$16,000 in undeclared cash on a return flight from Shanghai. Prosecutors said he was desperate for cash and transmitted classified information to a Chinese handler.
His acts were far from isolated as China actively tries to gather classified US information, federal prosecutors said immediately after his espionage conviction
“The People’s Republic of China has made a sophisticated and concerted effort to steal our nation’s secrets,” Assistant Attorney General Demers said. “Today’s conviction demonstrates that we remain vigilant against this threat and hold accountable all those who put the United States at risk through espionage.”
Mallory’s trial at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, offered a rare glimpse into the world of espionage. Most cases end in plea deals because the government is concerned about exposing secrets, while defendants are worried about potentially stiff sentences.