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James J. Smith
USINFO | 2013-07-16 13:53
James J. Smith, aka "JJ" is a retired FBI Supervisory Special agent. He served the FBI from October 1970 to November 2000 and specialized in Chinese counterintelligence. He was based in the FBI's Los Angeles field office. He lives in Westlake Village, California. He is married and has one son.
FBI career
He supervised the LA Field Office's FCI China squad.
He helped the FBI's investigation into the possibility that China tried to contribute money to the 1996 US elections in order to gain influence.
2003 Arrest
Smith was arrested on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 and charged with gross negligence for allowing an FBI asset, Katrina Leung access to classified material. He had been having an affair with Leung for 20 years, and allegedly brought classified materials to their trysts. In 2003 he and Leung pled not guilty.[1]
James Smith was once a special agent, sworn to uphold the rule of law and the high ethical standards of the FBI. According to today's charges, former Agent Smith not only betrayed the trust the FBI placed in him, he betrayed the American people he was sworn to protect.
— FBI Director Robert Mueller
2004 Plea Agreement
Smith pled guilty to a charge of falsely concealing his affair with a Chinese spy, Katrina Leung, from the FBI. He was sentenced to three months' home confinement for lying to the FBI about his affair. He also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. The plea allowed Smith to avoid prison time. Prosecutors also agreed to drop three other charges, including two counts of gross negligence in his handling of national security documents. [2]
FBI career
He supervised the LA Field Office's FCI China squad.
He helped the FBI's investigation into the possibility that China tried to contribute money to the 1996 US elections in order to gain influence.
2003 Arrest
Smith was arrested on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 and charged with gross negligence for allowing an FBI asset, Katrina Leung access to classified material. He had been having an affair with Leung for 20 years, and allegedly brought classified materials to their trysts. In 2003 he and Leung pled not guilty.[1]
James Smith was once a special agent, sworn to uphold the rule of law and the high ethical standards of the FBI. According to today's charges, former Agent Smith not only betrayed the trust the FBI placed in him, he betrayed the American people he was sworn to protect.
— FBI Director Robert Mueller
2004 Plea Agreement
Smith pled guilty to a charge of falsely concealing his affair with a Chinese spy, Katrina Leung, from the FBI. He was sentenced to three months' home confinement for lying to the FBI about his affair. He also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. The plea allowed Smith to avoid prison time. Prosecutors also agreed to drop three other charges, including two counts of gross negligence in his handling of national security documents. [2]
