Former U.S. Military Pilot Admits Acting as Paid Agent of China and Lying on National Security Background Forms

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 23, 2022

SAN DIEGO – A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot-turned-civilian-contractor pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he acted illegally as an agent of China and accepted thousands of dollars from representatives of the Chinese government to provide aviation-related information from his defense-contractor employers. He also pleaded guilty to making related false statements during national security background checks.

Shapour Moinian of San Diego served in the Army in the United States, Germany, and South Korea from approximately 1977 through 2000. After his service, Moinian worked for various cleared defense contractors in the United States – including in San Diego - as well as the Department of Defense. “Cleared” is a term that indicates a contractor is permitted to work on projects that involve classified information.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/former-us-military-pilot-admits-acting-paid-agent-china-and-lying-national-security