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19:02 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (KUNA) -- A US federal grand jury has returned an indictment alleging that corporate entities and two individuals conspired to steal technology from a Houston-area oil and gas manufacturer.
US Attorney Ryan K. Patrick and Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers of the Department of Justice's National Security Division said Thursday that Jason Energy Technologies Co. (JET) in Yantai, China; Jason Oil and Gas Equipment LLC (JOG), USA; and Chinese national Lei Gao - aka Jason Gao, 45, are charged with conspiracy, theft of trade secrets and attempted theft of trade secrets.
Gao previously resided in Houston but is now believed to be in China; a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest.
He faces the same potential fine as well as a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years
Also charged in relation to the case is Robert Erford Jr., 41, Dayton, who worked for a Houston-area company.
He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit trade secrets.
The corporate entities could be fined up to $5 million or three times the value of the stolen trade secret, whichever is greater. (end)
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