‘I am a traitor’

There’s a photo in federal court files that shows U.S. diplomat Michael Schena holding up an iPhone to copy a classified document on his office computer screen:

The photo was taken by a hidden surveillance camera on February 27, 2025 while Schena, a South Caribbean desk officer for the U.S. State Department, was under investigation for selling military and diplomatic secrets to Chinese agents.

The Chinese agents had recruited Schena on LinkedIn by posing as international business consultants, according to court records. Schena sold at least 11 documents to the agents for more than $13,000.

While being interrogated by the FBI, Schena confessed “I am a traitor.”

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to four years in prison last month.