Ashley Tellis, a prominent U.S. adviser on India, intends to contest allegations that he unlawfully retained classified national defense information, his legal team has announced. Tellis was arrested over the weekend and formally charged on Monday. The charges stem from an FBI investigation that led to a search of his home in Vienna, Virginia, where agents discovered over 1,000 pages of classified documents stored in filing cabinets and trash bags.
According to court documents, the classified materials were marked as "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET". The documents included information on U.S. military aircraft capabilities. The criminal affidavit alleges that Tellis was observed on September 25th printing classified documents at the State Department, where he served as an unpaid advisor. Surveillance video also allegedly captured him leaving the State Department and a Defense Department facility with a briefcase believed to contain the printed documents.
In addition to the document charges, the affidavit also cites multiple meetings Tellis allegedly held with Chinese government officials at restaurants in Fairfax, Virginia, between September 2022 and September 2025. According to the affidavit, Tellis and the Chinese officials were allegedly overheard discussing Iranian-Chinese relations and US-Pakistan relations. On one occasion, Tellis allegedly received a red gift bag from the officials.
The U.S. Attorney for Virginia's Eastern District, Lindsey Halligan, stated that "The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens". If convicted, Tellis faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Tellis's lawyers maintain his innocence and say he will vigorously fight the charges. They argue that the government's case is based on circumstantial evidence and misinterpretations of his actions. They plan to present evidence demonstrating that Tellis did not intend to harm national security and that the documents were retained inadvertently.
Katelynn Vogt, Vice President for Communications at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where Tellis serves as the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs, has announced that he has been placed on administrative leave.
Ashley Tellis, who was born in India and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen, has advised the U.S. government for over two decades. He served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and held senior positions as a Pentagon contractor and State Department advisor. Tellis played a key role in negotiating the Bush-era civil nuclear deal with India, a landmark agreement that strengthened ties between the two countries. He also previously served in the U.S. Foreign Service and as senior advisor to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.
The case has drawn considerable attention due to Tellis's high profile and expertise on U.S.-India relations. The charges against him have raised concerns about the potential compromise of sensitive information and the implications for national security. The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy and complex, with both sides presenting extensive evidence and arguments.
