Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Vincent Yu / AP
Thomas Mallory, a former CIA officer, has been arrested and charged in federal court with selling top secret documents to Chinese intelligence officials, per The Washington Post.
What allegedly went down: Originally contacted by a supposed recruiter for a Chinese think tank, Mallory realized he was in contact with Chinese intelligence officials before traveling to Shanghai in March and April. He then provided a Chinese intelligence operative with three documents — one labeled top secret — in May. Around the same time, he wrote his Chinese contact: "Your object is to gain information, and my object is to be paid for it."
The potential consequences: Mallory will have a preliminary hearing this week, but he faces up to life in prison.