Wayne Simmons, a regular Fox News commentator who claimed to have worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for almost three decades, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly fabricating his agency experience.
CNN Money reports that Simmons appeared in court on Thursday, where he faced charges of major fraud against the United States for falsely claiming to be a former “outside paramilitary special operations officer”—a padded resume that federal officials say he used to successfully gain government security clearances.
The frequent Fox News guest was often credited as a “terrorism analyst” and former CIA operative, who would routinely issue outlandishly false claims on national security matters, including the assertion there are “19 paramilitary Muslim training facilities” in the country.
In the indictment unsealed on Thursday, federal agents said they also believe Simmons had a “significant criminal history, including convictions for a crime of violence and firearms offenses, and is believed to have had an ongoing association with firearms notwithstanding those felony convictions.”
Other charges include wire fraud and making false statements to the government.
According to CNN, a Fox spokesperson said Simmons “was never a contributor for Fox News,” and that he only appeared on the network as an unpaid guest.
