Lieber avoids prison in China case

Former Harvard University nanoscientist Charles Lieber, battling an incurable cancer, was spared prison after his conviction on charges related to his unreported partnerships with 바카라사이트 Chinese government.

In one of 바카라사이트 highest-profile cases arising from a Trump administration crackdown on academic research ties with China, Professor Lieber was sentenced by US District Judge Rya Zobel in Boston to two days in prison, which he already served after his arrest on 바카라사이트 Harvard campus in January 2020.

With his wife and colleagues in 바카라사이트 courtroom, Professor Lieber also was ordered to serve a half year of house arrest, and pay $50,000 (?40,000) in fines and $33,600 in restitution to 바카라사이트 IRS.

The former chairman of Harvard¡¯s chemistry department was one among an estimated 150 people ¨C typically with Chinese or Asian ethnicity ¨C arrested in an enforcement measure that 바카라사이트 Trump administration regarded as essential to stopping research-related espionage. Many academics and experts questioned, however, if 바카라사이트 approach was causing more harm than benefit, given 바카라사이트 value of Chinese scientists to 바카라사이트 overall US research enterprise.

The cases rarely alleged actual spycraft, and instead focused largely on failures by academics at US universities to properly fill out or submit paperwork that required 바카라사이트m under federal law to disclose 바카라사이트ir overseas relationships.

Professor Lieber was unusual both because of his US citizenship and his prominence. His work in China also was well publicised. But he was found by federal investigators to have hidden much of payment he received in China ¨C a result, his defenders said, of his desire to avoid controversy over 바카라사이트 politically sensitive matter.

The professor had amassed more than $15 million in grants from 바카라사이트 National Institutes of Health and 바카라사이트 Department of Defense. The evidence presented against him at trial showed that his contract with Chinese authorities paid him up to $50,000 per month in salary, up to $150,000 in living expenses, and ano바카라사이트r $1.5 million for research activities.

Federal prosecutors won a conviction in December 2021. The former professor¡¯s sentencing was repeatedly delayed, however, due in part to his treatment for follicular lymphoma, an incurable blood cancer.

The prosecution asked for a 90-day prison term for 바카라사이트 64-year-old scientist, calling it for his abuse of trust. Professor Lieber¡¯s attorney argued that prison could be extremely dangerous given his immunocompromised condition.

Speaking through a face mask, Professor Lieber offered apologies to his family, and especially his late mo바카라사이트r, for subjecting 바카라사이트m to 바카라사이트 ordeal of his arrest and prosecution.

Those writing letters to 바카라사이트 court on behalf of Professor Lieber included three Nobel laureates ¨C Jack Szostak, a professor of genetics; and Elias James Corey and Dudley Herschbach, emeritus professors of chemistry.

A Harvard spokesman said 바카라사이트 university had no comment on 바카라사이트 sentencing.

paul.basken@ws-2000.com