Navy Officer Allegedly Gave Military Secrets to China

The Navy is dealing with an espionage case that involves allegations of both treason and adultery. Though authorities haven't officially identified the officer involved, multiple outlets report that he is Lt. Cmdr. Edward Lin, who was born in Taiwan and became a naturalized US citizen in 2008. The New York Times reports that Lin is accused of passing along military secrets to China—via his "Chinese girlfriend." Exactly what he passed along is unclear, but the Virginian-Pilot reports that his unit works with a slew of reconnaissance planes and vessels, including the P-8A Poseidon, the P-3C Orion, and the MQ-4C Triton.

Lin was arrested about eight months ago, but details are just now becoming public, reports Newsweek. In addition to the charge of providing classified information to a foreign nation, Lin is charged with adultery, which is a crime under military law. Specifically, he is accused of visiting a prostitute, though it's unclear whether this is the "Chinese girlfriend" referred to in the Times report. He has been held since last summer while the government determines whether there is enough evidence to court-martial him, reports CBS News. (More espionage stories.)