Ex-CIA officer faces prison for spying for China

A former CIA officer, who also worked as a contract linguist for the FBI, is facing a potential decade in prison after pleading guilty to espionage for China. He received various gifts, including cash and golf clubs, in exchange for sensitive information. The plea agreement requires him to undergo lifetime polygraph tests and cooperate with U.S. authorities. Ma, who was arrested in 2020, expressed remorse in a letter to the judge, hoping for forgiveness from God and America. Born in Hong Kong, Ma became a U.S. citizen in 1975 and joined the CIA in 1982. He resigned in 1989 but later collaborated with Chinese intelligence, arranging meetings between them and his brother, a former CIA case officer. During a significant meeting in Hong Kong, they provided classified information to Chinese officials and received $50,000 in return, which was recorded on video. Over the next six years, Ma continued to steal classified documents while under surveillance by U.S. authorities, who had hired him to monitor his activities. He was caught during a sting operation, where he accepted cash for his past espionage work. His brother, who was never prosecuted due to health issues, passed away, which Ma cited as a reason for his inability to report the crime. The plea deal allows Ma to avoid a life sentence, but he must provide further details about his espionage activities. Since pleading guilty, he has participated in extensive sessions with the government, providing valuable information about his actions and motivations.