US man sentenced for conspiring to steal General Electric technology

A New York man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for conspiring to steal General Electric (GE) trade secrets, intending to benefit the People's Republic of China (PRC), according to US Department of Justice (DOJ).

Xiaoqing Zheng, 59, of Niskayuna, New York, was convicted of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, following a four-week jury trial that ended on March 31, 2022, the Justice Department said in a statement.

According to court documents, Zheng was employed at GE Power in Schenectady, New York, as an engineer specializing in turbine sealing technology. He worked at GE from 2008 until the summer of 2018.

In a statement, DOJ said the trial evidence demonstrated that Zheng and others in China conspired to steal GE's trade secrets surrounding GE's ground-based and aviation-based turbine technologies, knowing or intending to benefit the PRC and one or more foreign instrumentalities, including China-based companies and universities that research, develop, and manufacture parts for turbines.

"This is a case of textbook economic espionage. Zheng exploited his position of trust, betrayed his employer and conspired with the government of China to steal innovative American technology," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department will hold accountable those who threaten our national security by conniving to steal valuable trade secrets on behalf of a foreign power."

"Zheng sought to enrich himself, and benefit the People's Republic of China, by stealing trade secrets developed and owned by his longtime employer, General Electric," said U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman for the Northern District of New York. "We will continue to work with the FBI to hold criminals accountable when they seek to illegally exploit American ingenuity."

"American ingenuity is an integral part of the United States' economic security - it is what has guided the U.S. to become the global leader, even as China seeks to topple our status," said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI Counterintelligence Division.

"Xiaoqing Zheng was a Thousand Talents Program member and willingly stole proprietary technology and sent it back to the PRC. Let today's sentencing serve as a reminder that the FBI remains dedicated in our pursuit of those who collaborate with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and steal American trade secrets," Kohler added.

US District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino also sentenced Zheng to pay a USD 7,500 fine and serve one year of post-imprisonment supervised release.