Ashley Tellis, a senior advisor to the State Department and a contractor with the Department of Defense, has been arrested and placed on administrative leave following allegations of removing classified documents and engaging in meetings with Chinese officials. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where Tellis served as a fellow, confirmed his placement on leave, emphasizing the gravity of the accusations. Federal prosecutors allege that Tellis, who held a top-secret clearance, unlawfully retained national defense information, with authorities discovering over 1,000 pages of classified materials at his home. The Justice Department highlighted the potential risks posed by his actions, stating that if convicted, Tellis could face up to a decade in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Tellis, who began working with the State Department in 2001, is accused of a range of misconduct, including printing multiple classified documents for a coworker at a government facility and allegedly printing U.S. Air Force documents concerning military aircraft capabilities in September 2023. Federal prosecutors allege that he met with Chinese government officials multiple times over the past several years, including a meeting in September 2022 while holding a manila envelope at a Virginia restaurant. These actions have raised serious concerns about national security. The U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, stated that the allegations represent a grave risk to the safety and security of American citizens.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace described Tellis as a specialist in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy, with a particular focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The organization noted his involvement in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India while serving as a senior advisor to the undersecretary of state for political affairs. Additionally, Tellis has a history of government service, having previously served on the National Security Council staff as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. His extensive background in national security and foreign policy has now come under scrutiny due to the allegations against him.
Tellis’ potential conviction could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as per the Justice Department. His lawyer, Deborah Curtis, has expressed confidence in presenting evidence at an upcoming detention hearing. While the case is ongoing, it has sparked discussions about the importance of safeguarding classified information and the legal consequences of such breaches. The incident also highlights the delicate balance between national security and the role of experts in shaping foreign policy, particularly in relation to China and other global powers.