On Jan 18, 2026, former FBI Special Agent, James Gaylord joined FFR for a discussion of Chasing Chi, his first-person history of the discovery, arrest, prosecution and conviction of Chi Mak and other members of Mak’s family for spying for the People’s Republic of China. 

Jim is known to several members of FFR because our children attended school and participated in numerous activities together over the years.

For example, while Jim was coaching John’s daughters in soccer, he was also pursuing the case that is the focus of this book and shared a little of what he was doing at the time. “Should you be telling me this?” my wife asked.  Jim’s reply, “We’re FB I, not CIA.”

Jim answered our questions, provided updates on the case and related matters, and filled us in on some of what he has been doing since retiring from the FBI.  It was very interesting to hear a participant’s perspective on what had been for us a series of news stories from several years ago.

Jim’s daughter Lauren edited the manuscript, shortening it by half to its published 400 pages.  He is currently presenting lectures and briefings on Chasing Chi all over the country, it seems, including at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.  He is promoting the book himself.  It surprised him to find out that bookstores put volumes in prominent positions when book companies pay them to.

Jim told us that much more about the case, the book, the aftermath, (and himself) appears on the website: https://www.chasingchibook.com/ .