Feds charge NASA researcher for allegedly concealing Chinese connections

The Justice Department on Monday announced that a criminal complaint had been unsealed charging a NASA researcher who allegedly concealed his connections with China.

The charges were filed against Texas A&M University Professor Zhengdong Cheng and include conspiracy, wire fraud and giving false statements. 

"As alleged, Zhengdong Cheng knowingly deceived NASA officials about his association with Chinese owned companies and universities, willingly accepted U.S. government funding, and defrauded his university,” Alan Kohler, Jr., assistant directorof the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, said in a statement. 

Cheng allegedly obtained U.S. government funding even though grant rules barred working with China, or Chinese businesses or universities.

Due to his NASA and Texas A&M connections he was also allegedly able to gain more access to resources like the International Space Station. 

"This access allegedly allowed Cheng to further his standing in China at Guangdong University of Technology and other universities," Justice officials said in a statement.

The charges also claim that Cheng had top research positions of which both Texas A&M and NASA were unaware and that he was able to participate in China's Talents program.

"China's Talents Plans are allegedly designed to attract, recruit and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China’s scientific development, economic prosperity and national security," the officials also said.