Espionage

Ex-CIA Officer Sentenced To 19 Years For Conspiracy To Spy For China

A former CIA officer was sentenced to nearly two decades in a federal prison Friday for conspiracy to spy for China.

Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Hawaii, was sentenced to 19 years for conspiracy to deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government.

There's nothing in the indictment claiming Lee handed over sensitive information to Chinese authorities. Prosecutors say Lee's actions, like retaining national defense materials and interactions with foreign officials, are clear links to a conspiracy.

In all, Lee received more than $840,000 from Chinese intelligence officers, according to court documents.

In response to Lee's sentencing, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia G. Zachary Terwilliger said, "Lee sold out his country."