But U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson continues to consider a motion to dismiss the case against Feng “Franklin” Tao of Lawrence of Kansas. Robinson on Monday asked lawyers to submit their arguments in writing, with the trial continuing as she examines the case. Jurors found him guilty of three counts of fraud and one count of making false statements because he did not reveal in conflict of interest papers that he had been included in a Chinese talent program, the Changjiang Professorship, for grant applications. As part of this program, he traveled to China to set up a laboratory and hire staff for Fuzhou University, telling the University of Kansas that he was in Germany. Prosecutor Adam Barry described it as a “fabricated lie” to defraud the university, the US Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. But defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg argued that Tao was merely a “moonlight” and stressed throughout the trial that Tao remained such a prolific researcher that the University of Kansas honored him in April 2019 – just months before his arrest. He asserted that his confession had been obtained through torture and that his confession had been obtained through torture. Seidenberg also noted that Tao listed his relationship with both schools in some newspapers, suggesting that he did not hide it. The case against Tao was part of what the Ministry of Justice called the China Initiative, an effort created in 2018 to crack down on trade secrets and financial espionage. The department shut down the initiative in February after public criticism and failed prosecutions, although officials say they still intend to continue the threat from China. Born in China and moved to the United States in 2002, Tao began working in August 2014 at the University of Kansas Center for Environmental Beneficial Catalysis, which conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy. As Robinson is still awaiting written arguments, no sentencing date has been set. Tao faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $ 250,000 for wiretapping, the Justice Ministry said in a press release. “Although we are deeply disappointed with the jury’s verdict, we believe it was so clear against the weight of the evidence that we are convinced it will not stand,” Seidenberg said, noting that all services reported as victims with the work that Dr. Tao did for their grants. “ Copyright 2022 KCCTV. All rights reserved.
