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When the charges were brought five days later, they were more limited in scope.
Dr. Chen was charged twice with electronic fraud while applying for a $2.7 million grant to study heat conduction in polymer structures and failing to disclose seven affiliations to the Department of Energy in a subsequent progress report. Connections included serving as a “fourth overseas expert advisor” to the Chinese government, a “review expert” for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and an advisor to the China Scholarship Council.
He was also accused of failing to declare a Chinese bank account containing more than $10,000 and making false statements to government officials in grant disclosures.
In recent interviews, Department of Energy officials told prosecutors, according to two people familiar with the matter, Dr. He said the connections that Chen could not reveal would not prevent the agency from extending the grant money.
The case was rushed in the busy days after the January 6 riot and its final stages before President Biden was sworn in, according to several former officials who requested anonymity to talk about an ongoing lawsuit. Officials said the department’s National Security Agency’s Dr. He said Chen had about 48 hours to review the indictment prior to his arrest, which was unusual given the high-profile nature of the case.
Nixon Peabody’s partner, Dr. Chen’s lawyer, Mr. Fisher, said in a statement that the scientist had not withheld his commitments from the government in China.
“He’s never been on a talent show,” said Mr Fisher. “There has never been an overseas scientist for Beijing. He disclosed everything he needed to disclose and never lied to the government or anyone else.”
Biden officials met with the China Initiative’s sharpest critics, Asian American rights groups and representatives from universities to discuss possible changes to the program.
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