State Department Worker Accused of Removing Classified Documents, Meeting Chinese Officials
A State Department employee has been accused of removing classified documents and meeting with Chinese officials. This allegation stems from actions that reportedly date back to 2023. The Justice Department has identified Ashley Tellis as the individual involved in these serious accusations.
Ashley Tellis: Background and Allegations
Ashley Tellis served as an unpaid senior adviser at the State Department and was also a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, recently renamed the Department of War. He held a significant role as a subject-matter expert on India and South Asian affairs, having started his career at the State Department in 2001.
Federal prosecutors claim that Tellis unlawfully retained national defense information. He held a top-secret clearance that allowed him access to highly sensitive information.
Incriminating Evidence Found
During a search of his residence in Vienna, Virginia, authorities discovered more than 1,000 pages of documents marked “TOP SECRET” and “SECRET.” Additionally, on September 12, Tellis allegedly asked a coworker to print multiple classified documents for him.
- On September 25, he requested prints of documents regarding U.S. Air Force military capabilities.
Meetings with Chinese Officials
Prosecutors allege that Ashley Tellis met with Chinese government officials multiple times over the years. Notable instances include a meeting at a Virginia restaurant in September 2022, where he was seen carrying a manila envelope.
Another meeting occurred on April 11, 2023, during which Tellis and the officials discussed Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging technologies. He also reportedly received a gift bag during a dinner on September 2 with these officials.
This ongoing investigation into Tellis has raised significant national security concerns, as it illustrates vulnerabilities in handling classified information. El-Balad has reached out to the State Department, Department of War, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for further comments on this alarming case.
