A leading think tank in Washington has informed Fox News Digital that one of its senior researchers, who also works for the State Department, has been placed on administrative leave. This follows allegations that he removed classified documents from a secure location and engaged with Chinese officials, with incidents dating back to 2023.
The Justice Department announced Tuesday that Ashley Tellis, affiliated with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was arrested over the weekend.
Caitlin Voigt, the Carnegie Endowment’s vice president for communications, confirmed the situation: “We are aware of the allegations against Ashley Tellis. He is currently on leave, including his role as Tata Chair of Strategic Affairs.”
According to the Justice Department, Tellis was an unpaid senior adviser at the State Department and worked as a contractor for the Defense Department’s Net Assessment Agency, which has recently been renamed the Department of the Army. He is viewed as an expert in Indian and South Asian matters.
Documents reveal that Mr. Tellis began his tenure with the State Department in 2001. He has been accused of illegally retaining national defense information, as stated in the affidavit.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsay Harrigan, emphasized the seriousness of the charges: “We are committed to protecting the American people from all threats, both domestic and foreign, and the charges alleged in this case represent a significant risk to public safety and security.”
Federal prosecutors highlighted in court documents that Tellis had access to classified information and held top-secret privileges. During a search of his residence in Vienna, Virginia, officials discovered over 1,000 pages of documents labeled “Top Secret” and “Confidential.”
In September, Tellis asked a colleague at a government facility to print several classified documents, including a document from the U.S. Air Force regarding military aircraft capabilities. Prosecutors allege that he met with Chinese officials multiple times over the past few years, including a meeting at a Virginia restaurant in September 2022 where he was seen carrying a manila envelope.
If found guilty, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine reaching $250,000, according to the Justice Department. Reports indicate that he is to remain in custody until a detention hearing next week, with his attorney, Deborah Curtis, saying she is eager to present evidence at that time.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has noted on its website that Tellis specializes in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy, particularly focusing on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that he played a significant role in negotiating a civil nuclear agreement with India while serving in the State Department. Tellis also held a position at the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs and was a senior advisor to the ambassador in New Delhi. Additionally, he worked on the staff of the National Security Council, where he was a special assistant to President George W. Bush and served as senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia.
