Baimadajie Angwang, and NYPD officer and U.S. Army reservist was charged today with spying for the People’s Republic of China. Count two, three, and four of the four-count federal indictment relate to his lying on his SF-86C Questionnaire for National Security Positions.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/press-release/file/1318501/download
This part from pp.21-22 of the 24-page federal indictment should leave everyone a little astonished that he even had a secret level clearance:
From pp.21-22 of the federal indictment:
The investigation has revealed that ANGWANG has familial and financial ties to the PRC. ANGWANG’s father is a retired member of the PLA and a PRC communist party member. ANGWANG’s brother is currently serving as a reservist in the PLA. ANGWANG’s mother is a retired government official and also a PRC communist party member. Notably, ANGWANG’s father, mother and brother reside in the PRC. 29. Moreover, the investigation has revealed that ANGWANG has financial ties with his family members in the PRC, further revealing his closeness to them. For example, on or about April 20, 2016, ANGWANG wired $100,000 from a U.S. bank account held in ANGWANG’s name to a PRC account held in the name of his brother. On or about May 18, 2016, ANGWANG wired $50,000 from a different U.S. bank account held in ANGWANG’s name to a PRC account held in the name of another individual.ANGWANG has also received multiple substantial wire transfers from the PRC. For example, on or about May 23, 2016, a U.S. bank account held in ANGWANG’s name received $49,985 from an account held in the name of ANGWANG’s brother in the PRC. Moreover, on or about January 29, 2014, a U.S. bank account jointly held in the name of ANGWANG and ANGWANG’s wife received separate credits of $50,000 and $20,000 from an account held in the name of an individual at the Bank of China in New York.
V. ANGWANG’s False Statements on his SF-86C
- In connection with ANGWANG’s USAR service, ANGWANG has completed various electronic “Questionnaire[s] for National Security Positions,” commonly referred to as “SF-86” forms. These forms are used by federal agencies to initiate the background investigation required to determine placement in sensitive national security positions. In addition, the SF-86 form is used in eligibility determinations for access to classified information; for ANGWANG, the form was necessary for him to receive his “SECRET” level security clearance. One variation of that form, the SF-86C, is used to report any updates or changes to an individual’s most recent full SF-86 investigation.
- On or about July 3, 2014, ANGWANG completed an SF-86 form in connection with his position in the USAR.
- On or about May 17, 2019, ANGWANG, from a computer located in the Eastern District of New York, digitally signed and electronically submitted an SF-86C also in connection with his USAR status. Block 4 of Form SF-86C stated, “I understand that a knowing and willful false statement on this form can be punished by fine or imprisonment or both (18 U.S.C. 1001).”