Watch Out for Unexplained Changes in the DOJ Online Report
Click on image to view the DOJ online report dated June 14, 2021, as preserved by the Wayback Machine
Launched by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in November 2018, the "China Initiative" purportedly combats economic espionage and trade secret thefts. However, its scope and boundaries have not been defined aftee three years of operation. There has not been an official count of "China Initiative" cases.
According to the DOJ online report on June 14, 2021, there were 71 prosecutions since the start of the "China Initiative." This web page lists 24 scientists from 23 of these "China Initiative" cases. Cases with ID #XX are believed to be under the "China Initiative" but have not been explicitly listed by DOJ. These cases match closely the Law360 report 'Overheated': How A Chinese-Spy Hunt At DOJ Went Too Far on September 28, 2021.
On November 19, 2021, the DOJ online report was changed significantly with at least 20 cases removed and about 4 cases added. The unannounced and unexplained changes made on a Friday are disturbing because an independent review led by Matt Olsen, newly appointed Assistant Attorney General for National Security, is supposed to be starting. The removals are susceptible to creating yet another misleading impression of the "China Initiative."
For example, the removals include the dismissed or acquitted cases of Anming Hu, Qing Wang, Chen Song, Xin Wang, Juan Tang, Kaikai Zhao, and Guan Lei. One direct impact of the DOJ changes is to eliminate the 8 dismissed cases from the following Law360 graphic.
According to the DOJ online report on June 14, 2021, there were 71 prosecutions since the start of the "China Initiative." This web page lists 24 scientists from 23 of these "China Initiative" cases. Cases with ID #XX are believed to be under the "China Initiative" but have not been explicitly listed by DOJ. These cases match closely the Law360 report 'Overheated': How A Chinese-Spy Hunt At DOJ Went Too Far on September 28, 2021.
On November 19, 2021, the DOJ online report was changed significantly with at least 20 cases removed and about 4 cases added. The unannounced and unexplained changes made on a Friday are disturbing because an independent review led by Matt Olsen, newly appointed Assistant Attorney General for National Security, is supposed to be starting. The removals are susceptible to creating yet another misleading impression of the "China Initiative."
For example, the removals include the dismissed or acquitted cases of Anming Hu, Qing Wang, Chen Song, Xin Wang, Juan Tang, Kaikai Zhao, and Guan Lei. One direct impact of the DOJ changes is to eliminate the 8 dismissed cases from the following Law360 graphic.
Source MIT Technology Review
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Source: MIT Technology Review
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Source: Law360
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Academics/Government Scientists (24)
Acquitted/Dismissed (9)
#36 United States v. Hu (TV1) (3:20-cr-00021): https://bit.ly/3u884RX
Online Report Date: 2020/02/27
District Court: E.D. Tennessee
Date Filed: 2020/02/25
Date Terminated: 2021/09/09
Defendants: 1 person: Anming Hu 胡安明, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Charges: 18 USC 1001, 1002 (false statements), 1343 (wire fraud)
Disposition: Acquitted
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/02/27
District Court: E.D. Tennessee
Date Filed: 2020/02/25
Date Terminated: 2021/09/09
Defendants: 1 person: Anming Hu 胡安明, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Charges: 18 USC 1001, 1002 (false statements), 1343 (wire fraud)
Disposition: Acquitted
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#39 United States v. Wang (1:20-mj-09111): http://bit.ly/30H4tNK
Online Report Date: 2020/05/14
District Court: N.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2020/05/12
Date Terminated: 2021/07/20
Defendants: 1 person: Qing Wang 王擎, Cleveland Clinic
Charges: 18 USC 287, 1342 (False Claims and Wire Fraud)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/05/14
District Court: N.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2020/05/12
Date Terminated: 2021/07/20
Defendants: 1 person: Qing Wang 王擎, Cleveland Clinic
Charges: 18 USC 287, 1342 (False Claims and Wire Fraud)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#43 United States v. Song (3:21-cr-00011): https://bit.ly/36ZiUzT
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: N.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/08/06
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Chen Song 宋琛, Stanford University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1512 (obstruction of official proceedings), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: N.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/08/06
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Chen Song 宋琛, Stanford University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1512 (obstruction of official proceedings), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#44 United States v. Wang (3:20-cr-00251): https://bit.ly/2WtU8pG
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: N.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/06/22
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Xin Wang 王欣, University of California, San Francisco
Charges: 18 USC 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: N.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/06/22
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Xin Wang 王欣, University of California, San Francisco
Charges: 18 USC 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#45 United States v. Juan (2:20-cr-00134): https://bit.ly/2V6qCWc
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: E.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/08/06
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Juan Tang 唐娟, University of California, Davis
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: E.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/08/06
Date Terminated: 2021/07/23
Defendants: 1 person: Juan Tang 唐娟, University of California, Davis
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#46 United States v. KAIKAI (1:20-cr-00187): https://bit.ly/2Txuhfv
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: S.D. Indiana
Date Filed: 2020/08/04
Date Terminated: 2021/07/26
Defendants: 1 person: Kaikai Zhao 赵凯凯, Indiana University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/07/23
District Court: S.D. Indiana
Date Filed: 2020/08/04
Date Terminated: 2021/07/26
Defendants: 1 person: Kaikai Zhao 赵凯凯, Indiana University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#53 United States v. Lei (8:20-cr-00127): https://bit.ly/3iJ3CVn
Online Report Date: 2020/08/28
District Court: C.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/09/10
Date Terminated: 2021/07/26
Defendants: 1 person: Lei Guan 关磊, University of California, Los Angeles
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1519 (destruction and alteration of records in a federal investigation), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
Online Report Date: 2020/08/28
District Court: C.D. California
Date Filed: 2020/09/10
Date Terminated: 2021/07/26
Defendants: 1 person: Lei Guan 关磊, University of California, Los Angeles
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1519 (destruction and alteration of records in a federal investigation), 1546 (fraud and misuse of visas)
Disposition: Dismissed
NOTE: Removed from 2021/11/19 DOJ online report
#74 United States v. Chen (1:21-cr-10018): http://bit.ly/2MRAlM6
Online Report Date: none
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2021/01/19
Date Terminated: 2022/01/20
Defendants: 1 person: Gang Chen 陈刚, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 31 USC §§ 5314 and 5322; 31 C.F.R. §§ 1010.350, 1010.306(c)-(d) and 1010.840(b)- failure to file report of foreign bank and financial accounts
Disposition: Dismissed
Online Report Date: none
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2021/01/19
Date Terminated: 2022/01/20
Defendants: 1 person: Gang Chen 陈刚, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 31 USC §§ 5314 and 5322; 31 C.F.R. §§ 1010.350, 1010.306(c)-(d) and 1010.840(b)- failure to file report of foreign bank and financial accounts
Disposition: Dismissed
#XX United States v. Hu (3:20-mj-00036): https://bit.ly/307oIV1
Online Report Date: none
District Court: W.D. Virginia
Date Filed: 2020/08/08
Date Terminated: 2021/09/21
Defendants: 1 person: Haizhou Hu 胡海周, University of Virginia
Charges: 18 USC 1030 (accessing computer without authorization), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
Disposition: Dismissed
Online Report Date: none
District Court: W.D. Virginia
Date Filed: 2020/08/08
Date Terminated: 2021/09/21
Defendants: 1 person: Haizhou Hu 胡海周, University of Virginia
Charges: 18 USC 1030 (accessing computer without authorization), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
Disposition: Dismissed
Pending (5)
#19 United States v. Tao (2:19-cr-20052): https://bit.ly/2XzVnRU
Online Report Date: 2019/08/21
District Court: D. Kansas
Date Filed: 2019/08/21
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Feng "Franklin" Tao 陶丰, University of Kansas
Charges: 18 USC 1001, 2 (false statements), 1343 (Wire Fraud)
Trial Date: 2022/03/21; jury guilty verdict on 2022/04/07; motion to acquit pending
Online Report Date: 2019/08/21
District Court: D. Kansas
Date Filed: 2019/08/21
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Feng "Franklin" Tao 陶丰, University of Kansas
Charges: 18 USC 1001, 2 (false statements), 1343 (Wire Fraud)
Trial Date: 2022/03/21; jury guilty verdict on 2022/04/07; motion to acquit pending
#30 United States v. Ye (1:20-cr-10021): https://bit.ly/3d6fwUK
Online Report Date: 2020/01/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/01/28
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Yanqing Ye, Boston University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (visa fraud), 371 (conspiracy), 951 (acting in the U.S. as an illegal agent of a foreign government)
Trial Date:
Online Report Date: 2020/01/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/01/28
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Yanqing Ye, Boston University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 1546 (visa fraud), 371 (conspiracy), 951 (acting in the U.S. as an illegal agent of a foreign government)
Trial Date:
#52 United States v. Cheng (4:20-cr-00455): http://bit.ly/3unH1mv
Online Report Date: 2020/08/24
District Court: S.D. Texas
Date Filed: 2020/09/17
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Zhendong Cheng 成正东, Texas A&M University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 371 (conspiracy)
Trial Date: 2022/11/14
Online Report Date: 2020/08/24
District Court: S.D. Texas
Date Filed: 2020/09/17
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Zhendong Cheng 成正东, Texas A&M University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 371 (conspiracy)
Trial Date: 2022/11/14
#67 United States v. YANG (1:20-cr-00040): https://bit.ly/3yufP74
Online Report Date: 2021/02/03
District Court: N.D. Florida
Date Filed: 2020/12/15
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Lin Yang, University of Florida
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud)
Trial Date:
Online Report Date: 2021/02/03
District Court: N.D. Florida
Date Filed: 2020/12/15
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Lin Yang, University of Florida
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud)
Trial Date:
#70 USA v. Mingqing Xiao (4:21-cr-40039): https://bit.ly/3xwbY9N
Online Report Date: 2021/04/21
District Court: S.D. Illinois
Date Filed: 2021/04/21
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Mingqing Xiao 肖明庆, Southern Illinois University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 371 (conspiracy); 26 USC 7206 (false statement on tax return); 31 USC 5314 & 5322 and Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1010.350, 1010.306(c)-(d), and 1010.840(b) (formerly Title 31 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 103.24, 103.27(c)-(d) and 103.59(b)) Failure to File Report of Foreign Bank Account
Trial Date: April 25, 2021; original fraud and false statement counts acquitted; jury convicted four tax-related charges under the superseding indictment; motion to acquit pending
Online Report Date: 2021/04/21
District Court: S.D. Illinois
Date Filed: 2021/04/21
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Mingqing Xiao 肖明庆, Southern Illinois University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 371 (conspiracy); 26 USC 7206 (false statement on tax return); 31 USC 5314 & 5322 and Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1010.350, 1010.306(c)-(d), and 1010.840(b) (formerly Title 31 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 103.24, 103.27(c)-(d) and 103.59(b)) Failure to File Report of Foreign Bank Account
Trial Date: April 25, 2021; original fraud and false statement counts acquitted; jury convicted four tax-related charges under the superseding indictment; motion to acquit pending
Pleaded Guilty (9)/Conviction (1)
#20 United States v. Zhou (2:19-cr-00163): https://bit.ly/2VqlLQl
Online Report Date: 2019/09/16
District Court: S.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2019/07/23
Date Terminated: 2021/04/20
Defendants: 2 persons: (1) Yu Zhou, Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2) Li Chen, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Charges: (1) Yu Zhou: 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), 1349 (conspiracy), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
(2) Li Chen: 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), 1349 (conspiracy), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
Disposition: (1) Yu Zhou: pleaded guilty, 33 months in prison
(2) Li Chen: pleaded guilty, 30 months in prison
Online Report Date: 2019/09/16
District Court: S.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2019/07/23
Date Terminated: 2021/04/20
Defendants: 2 persons: (1) Yu Zhou, Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2) Li Chen, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Charges: (1) Yu Zhou: 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), 1349 (conspiracy), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
(2) Li Chen: 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), 1349 (conspiracy), 1832 (theft of trade secrets)
Disposition: (1) Yu Zhou: pleaded guilty, 33 months in prison
(2) Li Chen: pleaded guilty, 30 months in prison
#31 United States v. Zheng (1:20-cr-10015): http://bit.ly/2UR2PXp
Online Report Date: 2020/01/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/02/24
Date Terminated: 2020/01/21
Defendants: 1 person: Zaosong Zheng 郑灶松, Harvard University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements); 554 (smuggling goods from the United States)
Disposition: pleaded guilty to one count of false statement; time served; not to return to the U.S. for at least 10 years
Online Report Date: 2020/01/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/02/24
Date Terminated: 2020/01/21
Defendants: 1 person: Zaosong Zheng 郑灶松, Harvard University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements); 554 (smuggling goods from the United States)
Disposition: pleaded guilty to one count of false statement; time served; not to return to the U.S. for at least 10 years
#37 United States v. Lewis (1:20-cr-00008): https://bit.ly/3jvulFx
Online Report Date: 2020/03/10
District Court: N.D. West Virginia
Date Filed: 2020/02/24
Date Terminated: 2020/07/31
Defendants: 1 person: James Patrick Lewis, West Virginia University
Charges: 18 USC 666 (converts to own use property of another)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; custody of the BOP for a term of 3 months; 1 year supervised release; $100 special assessment; Restitution: $20,189.00 (paid in full); Fine of $9,363.00
Online Report Date: 2020/03/10
District Court: N.D. West Virginia
Date Filed: 2020/02/24
Date Terminated: 2020/07/31
Defendants: 1 person: James Patrick Lewis, West Virginia University
Charges: 18 USC 666 (converts to own use property of another)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; custody of the BOP for a term of 3 months; 1 year supervised release; $100 special assessment; Restitution: $20,189.00 (paid in full); Fine of $9,363.00
#38 United States v. Li (1:20-cr-00164): http://bit.ly/APAJ_XiaoJiang_Li
Online Report Date: 2020/05/11
District Court: N.D. Georgia
Date Filed: 2020/05/08
Date Terminated: 2020/05/08
Defendants: 1 person: Xiao-Jiang Li 李晓江, Emory University
Charges: 26 USC 7206 (fraud and false statements)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Probation: one (1) year; $100.00 Special Assessment; $35,089.00 Restitution
Online Report Date: 2020/05/11
District Court: N.D. Georgia
Date Filed: 2020/05/08
Date Terminated: 2020/05/08
Defendants: 1 person: Xiao-Jiang Li 李晓江, Emory University
Charges: 26 USC 7206 (fraud and false statements)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Probation: one (1) year; $100.00 Special Assessment; $35,089.00 Restitution
#41 United States v. SEALED (2:20-cr-00182): https://bit.ly/3iSDMQ3
Online Report Date: 2020/07/09
District Court: S.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2020/10/20
Date Terminated: 2021/05/18
Defendants: 1 person: Song Guo Zheng, Ohio State University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Thirty-Seven (37) months incarceration; Two (2) years supervisory release; No fine imposed; $100 spec assmnt; Restitution ordered: $3.4 million to the National Institute of Health and approximately $413,000 to The Ohio State University; prison term under appeal
Online Report Date: 2020/07/09
District Court: S.D. Ohio
Date Filed: 2020/10/20
Date Terminated: 2021/05/18
Defendants: 1 person: Song Guo Zheng, Ohio State University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Thirty-Seven (37) months incarceration; Two (2) years supervisory release; No fine imposed; $100 spec assmnt; Restitution ordered: $3.4 million to the National Institute of Health and approximately $413,000 to The Ohio State University; prison term under appeal
#48 United States v. Lieber (1:20-cr-10111): https://bit.ly/3cC93nQ
Online Report Date: 2020/07/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/06/09
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Charles Lieber, Harvard University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 5314, 5322 (failure to file report of foreign bank and financial accounts); 26 USC 7206 (filing a false tax return)
Disposition: Jury trial resulted in guilty verdict on all 6 counts on 2021/12/21
Online Report Date: 2020/07/28
District Court: D. Massachusetts
Date Filed: 2020/06/09
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Charles Lieber, Harvard University
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statements), 5314, 5322 (failure to file report of foreign bank and financial accounts); 26 USC 7206 (filing a false tax return)
Disposition: Jury trial resulted in guilty verdict on all 6 counts on 2021/12/21
#49 United States v. Ang (5:20-cr-50029): https://bit.ly/3nMX8bz
Online Report Date: 2020/07/29
District Court: W.D. Arkansas
Date Filed: 2020/05/08
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Simon Saw-Teong Ang 洪思忠, University of Arkansas
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 1542 (false statement in passport)
Trial Date: pleaded guilty to one count of false statement - others dismissed; 12 months and 1 day imprisonment; 1 year supervised release; $5,500.00
fine imposed - interest waived.
Online Report Date: 2020/07/29
District Court: W.D. Arkansas
Date Filed: 2020/05/08
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Simon Saw-Teong Ang 洪思忠, University of Arkansas
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement), 1343 (wire fraud), 1542 (false statement in passport)
Trial Date: pleaded guilty to one count of false statement - others dismissed; 12 months and 1 day imprisonment; 1 year supervised release; $5,500.00
fine imposed - interest waived.
#54 United States v. Lookman (1:19-cr-01439): https://bit.ly/2Vusfh9
Online Report Date: 2020/09/15
District Court: D. New Mexico
Date Filed: 2019/05/22
Date Terminated: 2020/09/10
Defendants: 1 person: Turab Lookman, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty, 5 years Probation; Fine $75,000.00; SPA $100.00
Online Report Date: 2020/09/15
District Court: D. New Mexico
Date Filed: 2019/05/22
Date Terminated: 2020/09/10
Defendants: 1 person: Turab Lookman, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty, 5 years Probation; Fine $75,000.00; SPA $100.00
#XX United States v. Meyyappan (1:21-cr-00022): https://bit.ly/3kGwUWA
Online Report Date: none
District Court: S.D. New York
Date Filed: 2021/01/13
Date Terminated: 2021/06/16
Defendants: 1 person: Meyya Meyyappan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Imprisonment: 30 days, $ 100,000 fine
Online Report Date: none
District Court: S.D. New York
Date Filed: 2021/01/13
Date Terminated: 2021/06/16
Defendants: 1 person: Meyya Meyyappan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty; Imprisonment: 30 days, $ 100,000 fine
#XX United States v. Zhang (2:21-cr-00417): https://bit.ly/3DuXbP2
Online Report Date: none
District Court: M.D. Alabama
Date Filed: 2021/09/10
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Xiaoming Zhang, Air War College
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty, sentence pending
Online Report Date: none
District Court: M.D. Alabama
Date Filed: 2021/09/10
Date Terminated:
Defendants: 1 person: Xiaoming Zhang, Air War College
Charges: 18 USC 1001 (false statement)
Disposition: pleaded guilty, sentence pending