Novi Man Detained In Russia, Accused Of Spying

NOVI, MI — A Novi man is being held in Russia on accusations of being a spy, according to reports. The man’s family insists he was only there for a wedding.

Paul Whelan, 48, was arrested Friday in Moscow on the charges of espionage, WDIV reported. He is a U.S. citizen and former Marine who was born in Canada.

The Michigan man remains in Russian custody, accused of being on what they call a "spy mission." Russian officials have not said who they believe he was working for.

It has been confirmed that Paul Whelan held a job in Auburn Hills doing corporate security for Borgwarner, WDIV reported. The company said he started working there in 2017. He lived in an apartment complex in Novi for at least the past four years.

The man's twin, David Whelan ,said they grew up in the Ann Arbor area and graduated in 1988 from Huron High School. Paul Whelan served a couple of tours in Iraq with the Marines, never married and never had children. He doted on the family's golden retriever, Flora, the Detroit Free Press reported.

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