trade secret theft – Silicon Valley One World

Federal Prosecutors Pursue Charges against Chinese Prof. Hao Zhang as U.S. Attorneys Drop Like Cases in Philadelphia, Ohio

24Sep

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Federal Prosecutors Pursue Charges against Chinese Prof. Hao Zhang as U.S. Attorneys Drop Like Cases in Philadelphia, Ohio

By Sharon Simonson SAN JOSE, Calif.—Will the San Jose indictment against Chinese professor Hao Zhang be the next one the federal government decides to abandon? Zhang is accused of conspiracy to steal trade secrets from two semiconductor companies with Silicon Valley ties for his own benefit and the Chinese government’s. In March and then again this month, federal prosecutors in Philadelphia and Dayton, Ohio, dismissed indictments against two Chinese-Americans accused of similar crimes. Both cases relied heavily on email communications, as does the case against Zhang. Both alleged the theft of secret and valuable information, as does the case against Zhang. In both cases federal prosecutors sought to dismiss after they lost the use of purported evidence key to their claims. In ...

Judge Tells Federal Government: You Can’t Have Cake, Eat It Too

30Jul

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Judge Tells Federal Government: You Can’t Have Cake, Eat It Too

By Sharon Simonson A U.S. magistrate judge has warned the U.S. departments of Justice and Homeland Security that he would recommend dismissal of criminal charges against Chinese Professor Hao Zhang if federal immigration authorities sought to detain Zhang again in relation to alleged visa violations. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins said the federal government could pursue immigration charges at a later time. But, relying on a July 23 ruling by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Cousins said that during Zhang’s preparations for trial for conspiracy, trade-secret theft and spying to benefit the Chinese government, immigration authorities could not detain him with a stated goal of deportation even as the U.S. Justice Department proceeded toward trial. “If the go...

15Jul

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Hao Zhang Back in Federal Custody

By Sharon Simonson Not so fast. A Chinese professor accused of conspiracy, economic espionage and theft of trade secrets is facing a second turn in government custody after being released only days ago following six weeks in the Santa Clara County Main Jail. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins on July 8 ordered Hao Zhang released based on a $500,000 secured bond despite objections from federal prosecutors that he remained a flight risk. Cousins confined Zhang to a Mountain View home and ordered his movements be electronically monitored. But on July 13, U.S. immigration authorities served Zhang with a “Notice and Order of Expedited Removal” authorizing his deportation based on the revocation of his visitor’s visa by the U.S. State Department. The Department of Homeland S...

8Jul

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Judge Releases Zhang

By Sharon Simonson SAN JOSE — A Chinese professor accused of espionage and trade-secret theft should smell the sweet air of freedom later today after spending nearly eight weeks imprisoned at the Santa Clara County Main Jail. But Hao Zhang’s reprieve could be short and is definitely limited. He remains under threat of re-detention by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has rescinded his tourist visa, and so long as he remains out of jail must stay all day every day at a monitored Mountain View home. Over the objections of federal prosecutors, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins ordered Zhang freed on a $500,000 bond. The bond is secured by $225,000 in U.S.-located retirement savings and other financial assets belonging to Zhang and his wife, as well as the equi...

25Jun

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Zhang Sights Freedom

By Sharon Simonson SAN JOSE — A U.S. magistrate judge is likely to grant the pre-trial release of a Chinese professor who has been held without bail in the Santa Clara County jail, accused of espionage and trade-secret theft. Judge Nathanael Cousins said during a June 24 detention hearing that he was inclined to allow 36-year-old Hao Zhang to leave confinement so long as the right mix of incentives and safeguards could be set in place. Defense attorneys told the court that they could offer assets valued at roughly $500,000, including $225,000 in U.S. retirement accounts benefitting Zhang and his wife, to assure the professor would not flee in the face of the federal charges. They are also offering the equity in a Florida house owned by a Zhang relative. Zhang would live in ...

San Jose Federal Court Takes Up Case Against Chinese Professor Zhang

10Jun

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San Jose Federal Court Takes Up Case Against Chinese Professor Zhang

The link between the treatment of immigrants in the United States and the relationship between the U.S. government and their home countries is well-documented by historians. Doubters need look no farther than the entrance to the federal courthouse in downtown San Jose and the memorial to Japanese-Americans imprisoned during World War II by the U.S. government after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Relations between the U.S. government and the Chinese government have deteriorated in recent months. (Photo by S. Simonson) By Sharon Simonson SAN JOSE — A federal magistrate judge has agreed to reopen a detention hearing for a U.S.-educated Chinese citizen arrested May 16 in Los Angeles on accusations of trade-secret theft involving two semiconductor companies with Silicon Valley ties. Lo...