Former Politico reporter under investigation for allegedly spying for China

According to a report from Euractiv, the journalist—who has not been publicly named—is suspected of cultivating contacts at international organizations based in Brussels, allegedly attempting to gain information through professional and personal relationships. Officials from three different intelligence agencies told the outlet that the suspect even made sexual advances toward certain officials as part of these efforts.

It’s not clear whether the reporter’s exit from Politico is linked to the investigation. A company spokesperson told Euractiv that European authorities have not reached out and that Politico “does not comment on personnel departures as these are confidential personnel matters.”

The case comes as a crackdown on Chinese espionage continues across Europe and the United States. Belgian police recently arrested a law enforcement officer accused of spying for both China and Russia, while in Germany, a court sentenced Jian Guo, a former aide to a member of the European Parliament, to nearly five years in prison for passing sensitive information to Beijing.

The US Department of Justice has brought several similar cases this year. In August, a federal jury convicted Jinchao Wei, an active-duty US Navy sailor, of selling classified information to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000. Weeks before that, prosecutors charged two Chinese nationals with trying to recruit American military personnel and collecting defense intelligence, reports the Free Beacon.

In March, US officials also charged 12 Chinese nationals for their alleged roles in a cyber-espionage operation targeting US government networks.

Authorities in Brussels have not said whether any formal charges have been filed.