Gilbert Basaldua, Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, California 2024

Three men are facing federal charges for conspiring to steal proprietary aircraft technology in a bid to shortcut the costly and time-consuming certification process for a new aerospace product. Gilbert Basaldua, Joseph Pascua, and Craig German have been indicted on charges of Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, with Basaldua also facing a separate count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, according to U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine for the Southern District of Georgia.

The indictment alleges the trio agreed to develop a product for a competitor company in exchange for a cut of the profits. But instead of investing in proper research and FAA-mandated testing, they allegedly plotted to steal critical data — including aircraft wing schematics and anti-ice testing documentation — from established aerospace firms operating both inside and outside the Southern District of Georgia. The stolen material was allegedly intended to bypass the need for independent icing wind tunnel testing plans, a key step in certification.

“The theft of trade secrets is an emerging economic threat,” said Christine. “Together with our federal, state, local and private sector partners, we will lead the fight to protect technological innovation from criminal misappropriation.” The Justice Department emphasized that such theft undermines billions in corporate R&D investment and poses risks to aviation safety when unverified systems enter the supply chain.

Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office, issued a blunt warning: “The FBI is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who engage in illegal and deceptive practices to steal trade secrets and protected information from companies who spend millions of dollars to develop it. As the extent of these charges suggest, the FBI will not tolerate criminals that violate laws that protect companies and are in place to keep Americans safe.”

Each count of Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Steven H. Lee for the United States. Court dates have not yet been scheduled.

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