MIT professor charged with hiding work for China

BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor was arrested and charged Thursday with hiding work he did for the Chinese government while he was also receiving U.S. dollars for his nanotechnology research.

Gang Chen, 56, was arrested by federal agents at his home in Cambridge on charges including wire fraud, officials said. Agents executed search warrants at his home and his office at the university, said Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the Boston FBI office.

While working for MIT, Chen entered into undisclosed contracts and held appointments affiliated with the People's Republic of China, including as an “overseas expert” for the Chinese government at the request of the PRC Consulate Office in New York, authorities said. Many of those roles were "expressly intended to further the PRC’s scientific and technological goals," authorities in court documents.

Chen did not disclose his connections to China as is required on federal grant applications, authorities said. He and his research group collected about $29 million in foreign dollars, including millions from a Chinese government funded university funded, while getting $19 million in grants from U.S federal agencies for his work at MIT since 2013, authorities said

“It is not illegal to collaborate with foreign researchers. It is illegal to lie about it," Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling told reporters.

An email seeking comment was sent to Chen's attorney.

MIT said it is “deeply distressed" by Chen's arrest.

“MIT believes the integrity of research is a fundamental responsibility, and we take seriously concerns about improper influence in U.S. research. Prof. Chen is a long-serving and highly respected member of the research community, which makes the government’s allegations...