An American who worked as a guard at a new U.S. consulate in China has pleaded guilty to trying to sell classified information to the Chinese government.
Bryan Underwood, 32, reported offered to sell photographs of "areas or information classified at the Secret level" and details of security arrangements to China's ministry of state security while he was a civilian guard at the construction site of a new U.S. Consulate compound in Guangzhou between 2009 and 2011.
Prosecutors said that Underwood lost money in the stock market and was hoping he could make as much as $5 million from the information.
“Bryan Underwood was charged with protecting a new U.S. Consulate compound against foreign espionage, but facing financial hardship, he attempted to betray his country for personal gain,” U.S. Assistant Attorney General Monaco said in a statement.
From the Department of Justice:
As part of his plan, Underwood wrote a letter to the Chinese MSS, expressing his “interest in initiating a business arrangement with your offices” and stating, “I know I have information and skills that would be beneficial to your offices [sic] goals. And I know your office can assist me in my financial endeavors.”
The U.S. government found no evidence that Underwood succeeded in passing classified information concerning the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou to anyone at the Chinese MSS.
Underwood, a former resident of Indiana, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to communicate national defense information to a foreign government.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced in November.
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