Former US Adviser Found With Over 1,000 Secret Files at Home
Ashley Tellis, a prominent US-India relations expert and former adviser to multiple US administrations, has been arrested and charged with the unlawful retention of national defense information, according to newly released court documents. The 64-year-old, known for his role on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush, was taken into custody over the weekend and formally charged on Monday.
An FBI affidavit revealed that agents discovered over 1,000 pages of top secret and secret documents during a search of Tellis’ residence in Vienna, Virginia. The documents were reportedly retrieved from both the State and Defense Departments, with surveillance showing Tellis accessing, printing, and removing the files in a leather briefcase or bag between September and October.
Tellis held a Top Secret clearance and had access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) due to his roles at the State Department and Pentagon, where he was serving as an unpaid adviser and contractor. He is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank, which has not issued any comment.
The Justice Department stated that if convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, with attorney Lindsey Halligan calling the charges a “grave risk to national security.”
Concerns Raised Over Foreign Contacts and Security Breach
The court documents further reveal that Tellis had multiple meetings with Chinese officials over the past few years. One such meeting took place on September 15 at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, where Tellis was seen arriving with a manila envelope that he no longer possessed upon leaving. While authorities have not disclosed the contents, the meeting has raised serious concerns about potential unauthorized disclosures.
The incident has reignited debate over the handling of classified information, especially among former government officials. Trump-era intelligence leaders, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have recently reinforced the need for strict prosecution of those who mishandle national secrets.
The State and Defense Departments declined to comment on the ongoing case. Tellis has not released a statement, and his legal representation remains unknown as of now.
This case adds to growing concerns about insider threats, even from high-level, trusted experts. Officials stress that all national security breaches—no matter the individual’s profile—will be dealt with under the full extent of the law.
