Judge denies bail to contractor accused of giving military secrets to Chinese girlfriend

HONOLULU – A federal judge is denying bail to a civilian defense contractor accused of giving military secrets to a Chinese girlfriend half his age.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Richard Puglisi on Monday said a declaration from U.S. Pacific Command shows 59-year-old Benjamin Bishop could potentially harm national security.

Bishop is charged with one count of communicating national defense information to a person not entitled to receive it and one count of unlawfully retaining national defense documents and plans.

An FBI affidavit alleges Bishop gave his girlfriend classified information about war plans, nuclear weapons and other topics.

The Army Reserve lieutenant colonel was working at the U.S. Pacific Command as a contractor when he was arrested on March 15.