By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A 60-year-old employee of the State Department was charged Wednesday with two felonies for allegedly making false statements and obstructing an official proceeding.
CBS News reports that Candace Marie Claiborne is accused of concealing numerous contacts with Chinese intelligence agencies.
Authorities also say Claiborne failed to report gifts from her Chinese contacts.
CBS News reports:
Claiborne allegedly failed to report repeated contacts with two intelligence agents of the People’s Republic of China, and the agents provided tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and benefits to Claiborne and her family over five years, prosecutors said.
According to an affidavit, the gifts and benefits included cash wired to Claiborne’s bank account, an Apple iPhone and laptop computer, Chinese New Year’s gifts, meals, international travel and vacations, tuition at a Chinese fashion school, a fully furnished apartment and a monthly stipend. Some of these gifts and benefits were provided directly to Claiborne, the affidavit alleges, while others were provided through a co-conspirator.
