A former CIA officer and contract linguist for the FBI, Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to gather or deliver national defense information to a foreign government. The 71-year-old faces a possible 10-year prison term as part of a plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors.
Ma, who had a top-secret security clearance, admitted to providing classified information to Chinese intelligence officers in exchange for cash, gifts, and other benefits. Born in Hong Kong, Ma became a U.S. citizen in 1975 and joined the CIA in 1982 before resigning in 1989.
After moving to Shanghai, China, Ma collaborated with Chinese intelligence officers, including arranging a meeting between his brother, a former CIA case officer, and the Shanghai State Security Bureau. During this meeting, classified information was exchanged for $50,000.
Upon returning to Hawaii in 2001, Ma began working as a contract linguist for the FBI's Honolulu field office. Over the next six years, he continued to steal and share classified documents with Chinese intelligence, often traveling to China and receiving substantial sums of money and gifts in return.
Despite being aware of Ma's espionage activities, the FBI hired him to monitor his actions. In a sting operation, Ma accepted cash for past espionage activities and expressed his desire for the success of the Chinese 'motherland.'
Ma's cooperation with the U.S. government, including providing valuable information and undergoing polygraph tests, is part of his plea agreement. He expressed remorse in a letter to the judge, seeking forgiveness for his actions and acknowledging the impact on his late brother, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
As Ma awaits sentencing, his case highlights the serious consequences of espionage and the importance of safeguarding national security interests.
