Who is Ashley Tellis? Net worth of the arrested Indian-Origin US Defense Expert and all about his educational background and family

Ashley J. Tellis, 64, a distinguished Indian-origin US defense and foreign policy expert, has been arrested over charges of unlawfully retaining over a thousand pages of classified documents at his home.

The US Justice Department has accused Tellis, who served on the National Security Council of former Republican President George W Bush, of printing out classified documents and storing more than 1,000 pages of highly sensitive government records in filing cabinets and trash bags at his home.This arrest has raised questions about his financial standing, educational background, and personal life. While his professional achievements are well-documented, details about his net worth and family remain largely private.Here’s what we know so far.

Early life and educational background

Born in Mumbai, India, in 1961, Tellis pursued his higher education in the United States. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Bombay (now Mumbai University), followed by a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. His academic credentials laid the foundation for his subsequent career in policy analysis and strategic affairs.

Career and professional life

Ashley J. Tellis is a senior fellow and the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and US foreign and defense policy, with a particular focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

He has held prominent positions in the US government and defense institutions, including serving as a senior adviser to the US Department of State and as a contractor with the Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment.

Tellis's expertise has been sought after by successive US administrations, especially concerning Indo-US relations and regional security issues.

Financial standing and net worth

Although Tellis has been holding prominent roles in academia and government for decades, there is no publicly available information regarding his net worth.

His positions, such as senior fellow at Carnegie and adviser to government agencies, typically offer modest compensation compared to private-sector roles. Additionally, his status as an unpaid senior adviser and contractor suggests that his earnings may not be substantial.

Given the lack of public financial disclosures and the nature of his work, estimating his net worth remains speculative.

Family and personal life

The same goes for Tellis’ personal life as well. Details about his personal life, including his family, are scarce.

Public records and biographies do not provide information about his marital status, children, or other family members. This privacy is consistent with his professional demeanor, focusing primarily on his work and public engagements rather than personal affairs.

Why was he arrested?

Tellis was arrested on charges of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Court documents allege that more than 1,000 pages of secret and top-secret documents were found stored in his Virginia home. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Notably, his legal and financial liabilities from this could overshadow whatever personal wealth he may have had – if any.