The U.S. Department of Justice charged the suspects with economic espionage and theft of trade secrets in a 32-count indictment. Prosecutors allege this was part of a long-running scheme to provide an edge to universities and companies controlled by the People’s Republic of China.
The indictment “reveals a methodical and relentless effort by foreign interests to obtain and exploit sensitive and valuable U.S. technology through the use of individuals operating within the United States,” according to David Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Francisco division.