The Harvard leader was accused of lying about his relations with China

The head of the chemistry department at Harvard University has been accused of lying to US government officials about his work for a Chinese technology school while receiving federal research funding, According to the Department of Justice.

Charles Lieber was indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of making false statements about his affiliation with Wuhan Technical University, where he became a “strategic scientist” in 2011, while his Lieber Research Group received 15 million grants from national institutions, the Department of Health and Safety The Justice Department says.

Grants are needed to uncover sources of financial aid, conflicts of interest and cooperation with foreign companies.

China’s “Thousand Talent Program” between 2012 and 2015 “seeks to attract Chinese foreign talent and foreign experts to bring their knowledge and experience to China, and to reward individuals for stealing proprietary information,” the documents say.

The Ivy League professor received a salary of up to US $ 50,000 each month, about US $ 158,000 in living expenses and US $ 1.5 million to establish a research laboratory at Wuhan University.

Liber lied to federal officials in 2018 and 2019 about his involvement with the “Thousand Talent Project” and his involvement with the university.

Lieber’s lawyer, Mark Mukashi, said: “It’s wrong for the government.”

“Professor Lieber devoted his life to science and to his students. Not money, not fame, only his science and his students. When justice is done, Charlie’s good name is restored, and the scientific community can once again benefit from his intellect and passion. ” Told Palitico.

The 61-year-old Liber was charged in a January 2020 criminal complaint.

The coronavirus infection was delayed for several months before being charged.

He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston later in the day.

Lieber faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $ 250,000 fine if convicted.