Lt. Cmdr. Edward Lin, a native of Taiwan who moved to the U.S. when he was 14, is currently being held in the U.S. Navy’s brig in Chesapeake, Virginia in pre-trial confinement, facing numerous charges.
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According to reports by the Navy Times, the charges include numerous counts of espionage, communicating defense information and making false official statements. The charges also expand to issues not pertaining to national security including charges of adultery and patronizing prostitutes.
Lin was assigned to the Norfolk-based Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, where he is accused of passing secrets to an unidentified country in the Asia-Pacific region. The Navy’s charge sheet does not specify which country Lin was providing info to, however it is speculated to be either Taiwan or China.
During his 2008 Naturalization ceremony, Lin had this to say to his fellow sailors:
“You have recognized that not only do citizens have rights, but citizens also have responsibilities. The responsibility you are performing even now as non-U.S. citizen,” he said. “Extraordinary events made this nation and our military. People like you, men and women who stepped forward when their nation needed them accomplished these extraordinary events. I thank you for your decision to serve.”
Here is the full charge sheet from the Navy:
Charge Sheet Pao Redacted 2 by USA TODAY
We will make sure to update this story as more info comes about.
