Indian-origin expert Ashley Tellis, 64, who was arrested following allegations of meetings in China and illegal storage of classified documents, has denied the allegations, his lawyers said on Wednesday, saying they would “vigorously contest” the allegations, according to AFP.
His lawyers, Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas, said in a statement: “Ashley J. Tellis is a widely respected scientist and senior political adviser. We will vigorously deny the allegations made against him, particularly any suggestion that he operated on behalf of a foreign adversary.”
A criminal affidavit released Tuesday said Tellis entered the State Department late on Sept. 25 and appeared to print a classified document about U.S. Air Force techniques. He also claimed that Tellis met several times with Chinese officials at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, and during one dinner he appeared to have left behind a manila envelope.
The charges cited by the Justice Department focus on the mishandling of documents, not the meetings themselves. An FBI special agent said a search of Tellis’ home turned up over 1,000 pages of top secret or classified material.
Who is Ashley Tellis?
Tellis served as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a prominent Washington think tank, which said Wednesday that he had been placed on administrative leave. Tellis, originally from India and now a naturalized American, played a key role in negotiating the Bush administration’s civil nuclear cooperation agreement with India, a major milestone in strengthening ties between the world’s two largest democracies.
Tellis served in senior roles during the George W. Bush presidency and continued as an unpaid adviser to the State Department.
US President Donald Trump’s administration officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have pledged to take legal action against those who mishandle classified information. Meanwhile, a Justice Department statement indicated he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
According to Reuters, Lindsey Halligan, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said: “We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic. The allegations in this case pose a serious risk to the safety and security of our citizens.”
(With input from agencies)
