Simon Saw-Teong Ang, Wire Fraud, Arkansas 2020

Fayetteville, Arkansas Professor Arrested for Wire Fraud

Fayetteville, Arkansas - In a shocking turn of events, Simon Saw-Teong Ang, a 63-year-old professor at the University of Arkansas, has been arrested on charges related to wire fraud. The arrest comes after a thorough investigation by the FBI and the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Arkansas.

According to the complaint and affidavit unsealed in court, Ang had close ties with the Chinese government and Chinese companies. However, he failed to disclose these ties when required to do so in order to receive grant money from NASA. This resulted in numerous wires being sent and received that facilitated Ang's scheme to defraud.

The one-count complaint charges Ang with wire fraud, a federal offense that carries a statutory maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. If convicted, Ang's sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, role in the offense, and characteristics of the violations.

The FBI is leading the investigation, with Acting United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes and Trial Attorneys Michael Eaton and Ali Ahmad from the National Security Division prosecuting the case. A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge.

The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Ang's initial appearance in court was held before The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks at the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

Ang's case is a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in academic and research institutions. The University of Arkansas has not commented on the matter, but it is clear that Ang's actions have compromised the integrity of the institution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdar/pr/university-arkansas-professor-arrested-wire-fraud