http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/us-jails-beijings-space-science-spy-greg-chung-dongfan/story-e6frg6so-1225828479127
US jails Beijing's space science spy Greg Chung Dongfan From: AFP February 10, 2010 12:00AM LOS ANGELES: A Chinese-born aerospace engineer has been jailed for more than 15 years after being convicted of selling technology related to the US space shuttle program to China. Greg Chung Dongfan, 73, was convicted last year of stealing trade secrets from Boeing and Rockwell during a three-decade career in which he was also working as a Chinese agent, a justice department statement said yesterday. Federal judge Cormac Carney jailed Chung for 188 months at a hearing in Santa Ana, outside Los Angeles, telling the former engineer it was not possible to "put a price tag" on national security. Judge Carney said the stiff sentence was intended to send a message to the Chinese government: "Stop sending your spies here." Chung was found guilty of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, six counts of economic espionage to benefit a foreign country, one count of acting as an agent of the People's Republic of China and one count of making false statements to the FBI. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related Coverage a.. Green error hands Bolton crucial win Perth Now, 16 Dec 2009 b.. Stern Hu's detention extended Adelaide Now, 12 Nov 2009 c.. Upskirting snaps cost man his job The Australian, 10 Nov 2009 d.. Northbridge Festival Perth Now, 12 Oct 2009 e.. In China, what you mean may not be what's heard The Australian, 8 Sep 2009 End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. A native of China and a naturalised US citizen, Chung held a "secret" security clearance when he worked at Rockwell and Boeing on the space shuttle program, according to prosecutors. He retired from the company in 2002 and returned to Boeing as a contractor the following year until 2006. Prosecutors alleged Chung stole Boeing trade secrets relating to the shuttle and the Delta IV rocket. "Mr Chung betrayed his adopted country and endangered our national security," acting US attorney George Cardona said. "This case demonstrates our resolve to protect the secrets that help protect the United States, as well as the important technological advancements developed by scientists working for companies that provide crucial support to our national security programs." The case against Chung was uncovered during an investigation into another Chinese espionage case involving the sale of sensitive military information to China. AFP