A top police official of the New York City Police in USA has been accused of working as an agent for China.
Tibet-born Baimadajie Angwang allegedly reported on the activities of Chinese citizens in the New York area and assessing potential sources of intelligence in the Tibetan community, BBC reported.
The naturalised US citizen, who worked for the police department’s community affairs unit, was arrested on Monday.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Angwang is also employed by the US Army Reserve, working as a civil affairs specialist.
He is accused of being in contact with two officials at the Chinese consulate.
Aside from reporting on Tibetans in the city, he allegedly provided the consulate with access to senior NYPD officials through invitations to official events.
Angwang is also accused of committing wire fraud, making false statements and obstructing an official proceeding.
Court documents said he received “multiple substantial wire transfers from the PRC [People’s Republic of China]”.
According to the documents, his father is a retired member of China’s army and a member of the Communist Party of China. His mother is also a member of the party and a former government official.
“As alleged in this federal complaint, Baimadajie Angwang violated every oath he took in this country. One to the United States, another to the US Army, and a third to this Police Department,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot F Shea said in a statement.