Harvard chemistry department head charged with lying about China ties

BOSTON — The chairman of Harvard University’s chemistry department and a leading scientist in the study of nanotechnology was arrested for lying to U.S. investigators about his role in recruiting people to pass along scientific research to the Chinese government.

Charles Lieber, 60, was paid $50,000 a month and received more than $1.5 million to establish a lab and do research at Wuhan University of Technology, federal prosecutors in Boston said Tuesday. Two Chinese nationals were also charged: a Boston University researcher who prosecutors say was a lieutenant for the People’s Liberation Army, and a cancer researcher who allegedly tried to smuggle 21 vials of biological materials in his sock.

“This is not an accident or a coincidence,” U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said at a news conference in Boston. “This is a small sample of China’s ongoing campaign to siphon off American know-how and technology for China’s gain.”

Agencies across the federal government have mobilized against potential Chinese industrial spies, warning companies and universities and anyone else with intellectual property to be particularly vigilant when dealing with Chinese business partners and employees. Tuesday’s action comes weeks after the Trump administration signed a Phase One trade deal with the Chinese.

“China is engaged in a massive, long-term campaign to steal U.S. technology for its own uses,” Mr. Lelling said, adding that the FBI has China-related investigations in all 50 states.

Prosecutors said Mr. Lieber lied to U.S. Defense Department investigators about his involvement with Wuhan University and the Thousand Talents Plan, a Chinese government program to recruit overseas researchers. His deceit caused Harvard to make false statements to the National Institutes of Health about his work with China, because grants that Harvard received required disclosure of ties with foreign governments, the U.S. said.

Mr. Lieber, whose Harvard biography page lists him as an honorary fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society, was arrested Tuesday morning at his office and was scheduled to appear at 2:30 p.m. before a federal magistrate.