A former Dow research scientist was sentenced to five years in federal prison for selling Dow's trade secrets to companies in China.
Wen Chyu Liu maintained his innocence at the sentencing by U.S. District Judge James Brady:
From the Advocate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey R. Amundson told Brady that Liu “refuses to accept responsibility for what he did.” The prosecutor added that Dow held the patent for production of Tyrin CPE, a chlorinated polyethylene polymer used in vinyl siding, plastic jackets for electrical wire, flexible automotive and industrial hoses, as well as other products before Liu sold the firm’s secrets for approximately $600,000... Frank Holthaus, attorney for Liu, asked Brady to go below sentencing guidelines and place Liu on probation. Holthaus also disputed Dow’s estimate that Liu caused the firm to lose more than $250 million.
A second hearing will be held to determine how much restitution will be paid to Dow.
