Xiao-Jiang Li, Filing a False Tax Return, Georgia 2020

Former Emory University professor Xiao-Jiang Li, 63, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced for filing a false tax return. On May 8, 2020, Li pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with filing a false tax return and was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge on the same day.

Li, a former Emory University professor and Chinese Thousand Talents Program participant, worked overseas at Chinese universities and did not report any of his foreign income on his federal tax returns. 'The Thousand Talents Program that recruits professors and researchers to work for China' is being closely monitored by the U.S. government, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.

Li's actions demonstrated a flagrant disrespect for the law and all taxpayers, said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. 'The FBI and our federal partners will always pursue individuals like Li, who victimize innocent taxpayers for their own personal gain.'

Li earned at least $500,000 in foreign income that he never reported on his federal income tax returns. His false income tax returns came to light after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reviewed Li's NIH research grant applications and became concerned that he had failed to disclose, among other things, foreign research activity. Those concerns prompted Emory University, and later federal law enforcement, to investigate the matter which revealed Li's false tax returns.

Li was sentenced to one year of probation on a felony charge and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $35,089. He was also ordered to file lawful income tax returns for the years 2012 through 2018 within the first two months of his probation and fully cooperate with the IRS.

The case highlights the importance of transparency and compliance with tax laws, particularly for individuals who receive foreign funding and affiliations. 'Our watchdog agency will continue to aggressively investigate anyone who does not adhere to agency rules regarding the disclosure of foreign funding and affiliations,' said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Xiao-Jiang Li, a former Emory University professor, was convicted of filing a false tax return and sentenced to one year of probation. He was ordered to pay $35,089 in restitution and cooperate with the IRS.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-emory-university-professor-and-chinese-thousand-talents-participant-convicted-and