Related Federal Cases
Nuclear Engineer Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison
A 66-year-old US citizen born in Taiwan has been sentenced to 24 months in prison and one year of supervised release for conspiring to develop special nuclear material outside the US without authorization.
Szuhsiung Ho, also known as Allen Ho, pleaded guilty in January 2017 to violating the Atomic Energy Act. The law requires US citizens to obtain specific authorization from the US Department of Energy (DOE) before engaging in the production or development of special nuclear material outside the US.
According to court documents, Ho enlisted US-based nuclear experts to provide assistance in developing and producing special nuclear material in China for a Chinese state-owned nuclear power company, China General Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC). The experts were recruited from the civil nuclear industry and provided technical assistance related to the development and production of special nuclear material.
The investigation revealed that Ho conspired with others to engage or participate in the development or production of special nuclear material in China without specific authorization from the US Secretary of Energy. Ho also assisted CGNPC in procuring US-based nuclear engineers to assist with designing and manufacturing certain components for nuclear reactors more quickly.
“Today, Allen Ho is being held accountable for enlisting US-based nuclear experts to provide assistance in developing and producing special nuclear material in China for a Chinese state-owned nuclear power company,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana J. Boente. “Prosecuting those who unlawfully facilitate the acquisition of sensitive nuclear technology by foreign nations continues to be a top priority of the National Security Division.”
The US Attorney’s office, the FBI, and other agencies investigated the case, which was led by the FBI’s Knoxville Field Division. Ho was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine as part of his sentence.
Ho’s actions were a serious breach of US export control laws, and his sentence serves as a warning to those who would seek to compromise US national security by facilitating the acquisition of sensitive nuclear technology by foreign nations.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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